Two-time physics in field theory - art. no. 046007

A field theory formulation of two-time physics in d+2 dimensions is obtaine d from the covariant quantization of the constraint system associated with the OSp(n\2) worldline gauge symmetries of two-time physics. Interactions a mong fields can then be included consistently with the underlying gauge sym metries. Through this process a relation between Dirac's work in 1936 on co nformal symmetry in field theory and the more recent worldline formulation of two-time physics is established while providing a worldline gauge symmet ry basis for the field equations in d+2 dimensions. It is shown that the fi eld theory formalism goes well beyond Dirac's goal of linearizing conformal symmetry. In accord with recent results in the worldline approach of two-t ime physics, the d+2 field theory can be brought down to diverse d-dimensio nal field theories by solving the subset of field equations that correspond to the "kinematic" constraints. This process embeds the one "time" in d di mensions in different ways inside the (d+2)-dimensional spacetime. Thus, th e two-time d+2 field theory appears as a more fundamental theory from which many one-time d-dimensional field theories are derived. It is suggested th at the hidden symmetries and relations among computed quantities in certain d-dimensional interacting field theories can be taken as evidence for the presence of a higher unifying structure in a (d+2)-dimensional spacetime. T hese phenomena have similarities with ideas such as dualities, AdS-CFT corr espondence, and holography.