Consistency conditions for p-form field localization on codimension two braneworlds

Abstract

AbstractIn a recent work (Eur. Phys. J. C 80(5), 432, 2020), the present authors obtained general stringent conditions on the localization of fields in braneworlds by imposing the requirement that its zero mode must satisfy Einstein’s equations (EEs). In this manuscript, we continue this study by considering free p-form fields. These fields present an on-shell equivalency relation between a p-form and a $$(D-p-2)$$ ( D - p - 2 ) -form, provided by a Hodge duality (HD) transformation. This symmetry will impose a new consistency condition, namely, confinement of a p-form on the brane must imply the localization of its dual. We apply the above two conditions to 6D braneworld models. With this, we find that in global string-like defects, for example, the 1-form field has a normalizable zero mode. By using the HD as a guide, we show that its bulk dual 3-form field also has a normalizable zero mode, making the confinement consistent with HD. However, these solutions cannot be made consistent with EE, therefore, these fields must be ruled out. In fact, by imposing both conditions, only the scalar field and its dual can be consistently localized in codimension two braneworlds. In this way, all the literature so far in which the free vector field (1-form) is localized in codimension two models should be reviewed. These results also point to the fact that the symmetries of the fields can be used to verify the consistency of their localization and even prohibit it.