Renormalization of vector fields with mass-like coupling in curved spacetime

Abstract

Using the method of covariant symbols we compute the divergent part of the effective action of the Proca field with non-minimal mass term. Specifically a quantum abelian vector field with a non-derivative coupling to an external tensor field in curved spacetime in four dimensions is considered. Relatively explicit expressions are obtained which are manifestly local but non polynomial in the external fields. Our result is shown to reproduce existing ones in all particular cases considered. Internal consistency with Weyl invariance is also verified.