A Hilbert space setting for interacting higher spin fields and the Higgs issue (Q2356340)

The paper develops a Hilbert-space based quantum field theory for massive spin-1 bosons which is not possible with point-localizable fields due to a violation of positivity. Rather a weakening of localization to string-localized fields as proposed by \textit{J. Mund} et al. [Commun. Math. Phys. 268, No. 3, 621--672 (2006; Zbl 1123.81039)] is necessary. String localization is related to modular localization [\textit{R. Brunetti} et al., Rev. Math. Phys. 14, No. 7--8, 759--785 (2002; Zbl 1033.81063)] but has no connection to string theory. Its most important consequences are the reduction of the short-distance scaling to \(d = 1\) and consequently the existence of renormalizable couplings for any integer spin. In the case of spin 1, it provides an alternative foundation of the Higgs mechanism which rests on a renormalizable coupling of the string-localized field to a Hermitian scalar field whose self-interaction is induced by the implementation of BRST gauge symmetry. The author emphasizes however that gauge symmetry is not a fundamental concept in this approach and massless fields have to be replaced by the massless limits of correlation functions. The paper is written in a vivid style with some strong wordings on the one hand, on the other hand its readability suffers from poor editing which sometimes gives the impression of an uncorrected manuscript.