The Rise of Linear Trajectories

Abstract

In this letter, we consider constraints on the low-energy spectrum of amplitudes with higher-spin exchange. Assuming unitarity, crossing symmetry, and super-convergent high energy behavior, reminiscent of the scattering of spin-1 and spin-2 massless helicity states, we demonstrate that the spectrum that maximizes the leading higher spin couplings of the second and third resonances is consistently given by a linear trajectory. Furthermore, for gravitational theories, the optimal spectrum is the linear trajectory defined by the mass and spin of the graviton and the lightest spin-4 resonance.