Lagrange multiplier formalism for spin-2 fields

The Lagrange multiplier method is applied to the description of a spin-2 field. The method bypasses the problem of constraint breakdown and inconsistency of quantisation in the presence of interactions and the theory is shown to remain causal when coupled to an external electromagnetic field. Canonical quantisation of the field is carried out and a covariant propagator obtained. The massless limit of the theory is also discussed. (author)