Exceptional F(4) Higher-Spin Theory in AdS(6) at One-Loop and other Tests of Duality

Abstract: We study the higher-spin gauge theory in six-dimensional anti-de Sitter space $AdS_6$ that is based on the exceptional Lie superalgebra $F(4)$. The relevant higher-spin algebra was constructed in arXiv:1409.2185 [hep-th]. We determine the spectrum of the theory and show that it contains the physical fields of the Romans $F(4)$ gauged supergravity. The full spectrum consists of an infinite tower of unitary supermultiplets of $F(4)$ which extend the Romans multiplet to higher spins plus a single short supermultiplet. Motivated by applications to this novel supersymmetric higher-spin theory as well as to other theories, we extend the known one-loop tests of $AdS/CFT$ duality in various directions. The spectral zeta-function is derived for the most general case of fermionic and mixed-symmetry fields, which allows one to test the Type-A and B theories and supersymmetric extensions thereof in any dimension. We also study higher-spin doubletons and partially-massless fields. While most of the tests are successfully passed, the Type-B theory in all even dimensional anti-de Sitter spacetimes presents an interesting puzzle: the free energy as computed from the bulk is not equal to that of the free fermion on the CFT side, though there is some systematics to the discrepancy.