Towards \( \mathcal{N} \) = 2 superconformal higher-spin theory

Abstract

Three years ago, we proposed free off-shell models for \( \mathcal{N} \) = 2 superconformal higher-spin multiplets in arbitrary conformally flat backgrounds, constructed conserved conformal higher-spin supercurrents for a massless hypermultiplet, and sketched the Noether procedure to generate its cubic couplings to the superconformal higher-spin multiplets. This paper is devoted to completing the Noether procedure. Specifically, we: (i) describe the unique off-shell primary extensions of the conformal higher-spin supercurrents; (ii) embed the off-shell superconformal prepotentials into primary unconstrained isotwistor multiplets; and (iii) present the unique gauge transformations of the hypermultiplet and the isotwistor prepotentials. An extension of the Noether procedure beyond the cubic level is also sketched, following the earlier \( \mathcal{N} \) = 1 superconformal approach developed by the authors and Ponds in 2022. Our construction is based on making use of the polar hypermultiplet within the projective-superspace setting.