Unfolding conformal geometry

Conformal geometry is studied using the unfolded formulation a la Vasiliev. Analyzing the first-order consistency of the unfolded equations, we identify the content of zero-forms as the spin-two off-shell Fradkin-Tseytlin module of so(2, d). We sketch the nonlinear structure of the equations and explain how Weyl invariant densities, which Type-B Weyl anomaly consist of, could be systematically computed within the unfolded formulation. The unfolded equation for conformal geometry is also shown to be reduced to various on-shell gravitational systems by requiring additional algebraic constraints.

Automated summary

Conformal geometry is studied using the unfolded formulation developed by Vasiliev. By analyzing the first-order consistency of the unfolded equations, the content of zero-forms is identified as the spin-two off-shell Fradkin-Tseytlin module of so(2, d). The nonlinear structure of the equations is outlined, and it is explained how Weyl invariant densities can be systematically computed within the unfolded formulation. Additionally, it is shown that the unfolded equation for conformal geometry can be reduced to various on-shell gravitational systems by imposing additional algebraic constraints.