Constraining conformal field theory with higher spin symmetry in four dimensions

Abstract

We analyze the constraints on the general form and the singularity structure of the correlation functions of the symmetric, traceless and conserved stress-energy tensor implied by conformal invariance and higher spin symmetry in four dimensions. In particular, we show that all these correlation functions will have at most double pole singularities. We then compute the 4-, 5- and 6-point functions of the stress-energy tensor and find that they are linear combinations of the three free field expressions (scalar, fermion and Maxwell field). This is a strong indication that all such theories are essentially free.