Tensor Gauge Fields in Arbitrary Representations of GL( D, $${\mathbb{R})}$$ : II. Quadratic Actions

Quadratic, second-order, non-local actions for tensor gauge fields transforming in arbitrary irreducible representations of the general linear group in D-dimensional Minkowski space are explicitly written in a compact form by making use of Levi–Civita tensors. The field equations derived from these actions ensure the propagation of the correct massless physical degrees of freedom and are shown to be equivalent to non-Lagrangian local field equations proposed previously. Moreover, these actions allow a frame-like reformulation à la MacDowell–Mansouri, without any trace constraint in the tangent indices. Chargé de Recherches FNRS, Belgium