On first order symmetry operators for the field equations of differential forms

Abstract

We consider first order symmetry operators for the equations of motion of differential p-form fields in general D-dimensional background geometry of any signature for both massless and massive cases. For p = 1 and p = 2 we give the general forms of the symmetry operators. Then we find a class of symmetry operators for arbitrary p and D, which is naturally suggested by the lower p results.