Graded Geometry and Tensor Gauge Theories

Abstract: We review the construction of Lagrangians for higher spin fields of mixed symmetry in the framework of graded geometry. The main advantage of the graded formalism in this context is that it provides universal expressions, in the sense that a given Lagrangian describes the dynamics of any type of bosonic tensor field even though the corresponding explicit expressions in terms of local field components and their derivatives look rather different. Aside from free fields and their kinetic terms, we also consider higher derivative interaction terms that lead to second order field equations. For scalars, differential forms and bipartite tensors, these are identified with Galileon theories, written in a simple yet elegant form as a generalised kinetic term, and are gauge invariant by construction. For fields of spin higher than 2, we illustrate the candidate Galileon-like interactions and argue that full gauge invariance and locality cannot be simultaneously maintained.