On the role of scalar field in the theory of massless spin 2 particle

The paper presents a general theory for spin 2 field, basedon the 30-component first-order Fedorov-Regge equations. By eliminating the auxiliary vector and third-rank tensor, the second-order Pauli-Fierz equations for the scalar and symmetric tensor are derived. The gauge symmetry, as analyzed by Pauli and Fierz, is investigated. Six independent planewave solutions for a massless particle are constructed; four of them are shown to be pure gauge and can thus be excluded as nonphysical.