Constructing a consistent four-dimensional Lagrangian for charged massive higher-spin fields propagating in an electromagnetic background is an open problem. In 1989, Argyres and Nappi used bosonic open string field theory to construct a Lagrangian for charged massive spin-2 fields in a constant electromagnetic background. In this paper, we use the four-dimensional hybrid formalism for open superstring field theory to construct a supersymmetric Lagrangian for charged massive spin-2 and spin-3/2 fields in a constant electromagnetic background. The hybrid formalism has the advantage over the RNS formalism of manifest $$ \mathcal{N} $$ N = 1 d=4 spacetime supersymmetry so that the spin-2 and spin-3/2 fields are combined into a single superfield and there is no need for picture-changing or spin fields.

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We develop in components the superspace action obtained in [1] describing the first massive level of the open charged superstring in a flat four-dimensional spacetime. In the absence of an electromagnetic background, we show how the Rarita-Schwinger and Fierz-Pauli Lagrangians are retrieved for spin-3/2 and 2, respectively. We then write different forms of the action in the presence of the electromagnetic background. The resulting equations of motion describe the propagation of fields of charged spin-3/2 and spin-1/2 on the one hand, and spin-2, 1 and 0 on the other.

We develop in components the superspace action obtained in [1] describing the first massive level of the open charged superstring in a flat four-dimensional spacetime. In the absence of an electromagnetic background, we show how the Rarita-Schwinger and Fierz-Pauli Lagrangians are retrieved for spin-3/2 and 2, respectively. We then write different forms of the action in the presence of the electromagnetic background. The resulting equations of motion describe the propagation of fields of charged spin-3/2 and spin-1/2 on the one hand, and spin-2, 1 and 0 on the other.