https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s10052-026-16019-x
Regular Article - Theoretical Physics
The end of the road for bulk fields in warped Randall–Sundrum braneworlds
1
Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Caixa Postal 6030, Campus do Pici, 60455-760, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
2
Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Edifício C8, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
3
Departamento de Física, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Edifício C8, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
a
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Received:
17
March
2026
Accepted:
17
June
2026
Published online:
5
July
2026
Abstract
In this manuscript we generalize Ref. [1] and derive a complete set of local consistency conditions for bulk fields in braneworld scenarios with an arbitrary number of dimensions. This provides the first fully local and dimension-independent generalization of all known criteria for bulk fields. Within this framework, we show that a free scalar field is consistent and localized, whereas minimally and non-minimally coupled Maxwell fields violate the conditions, leading to a no-go theorem valid in any dimension. For nonlinear electrodynamics, we find that only the model 
admits a consistent and normalizable zero mode, and that among 
forms, consistency occurs solely for the free 
form. We also demonstrate that Dirac fermions, with or without Yukawa terms, are inconsistent within this framework and therefore cannot propagate in the bulk. Our local approach makes explicit that these conclusions do not depend on any particular internal geometry or warp factor: previously known results arise merely as special cases of a broader and strictly local structure, highlighting the universality of the constraints derived here.
© The Author(s) 2026
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