Covariant quantization of ''massive'' spin- (3)/(2) fields in the de Sitter space

We present a covariant quantization of the free ''massive'' spin- (3)/(2) fields in four-dimensional de Sitter space-time based on analyticity in the complexified pseudo-Riemannian manifold. The field equation is obtained as an eigenvalue equation of the Casimir operator of the de Sitter group. The solutions are calculated in terms of coordinate-independent de Sitter plane-waves in tube domains and the null curvature limit is discussed. We give the group theoretical content of the field equation. The Wightman two-point function Siantijαα'(x,x') is calculated. We introduce the spinor-vector field operator Ψα (f) and the Hilbert space structure. A coordinate-independent formula for the field operator Ψα (x) is also presented. (orig.)