The simplest massive S-matrix: from minimal coupling to black holes

Abstract

Abstract In this paper, we explore the physics of electromagnetically and gravitationally coupled massive higher spin states from the on-shell point of view. Starting with the three-point amplitude, we focus on the simplest amplitude characterized by matching to minimal coupling in the UV. In the IR, for charged states this leads to g = 2 for arbitrary spin, and the leading deformation corresponds to the anomalous magnetic dipole moment. We proceed to construct the (gravitational) Compton amplitude for generic spins via consistent factorization. We find that in gravitation couplings, the leading deformation leads to inconsistent factorization. This implies that for systems with Gauge2 = Gravity relations, such as perturbative string theory, all charged states must have g = 2. It is then natural to ask for generic spin, what is the theory that yields such minimal coupling. By matching to the one body effective action, we verify that for large spins the answer is Kerr black holes. This identification is then an on-shell avatar of the no- hair theorem. Finally using this identification as well as the newly constructed Compton amplitudes, we proceed to compute the spin-dependent pieces for the classical potential at 2PM order up to degree four in spin operator of either black holes.