A note on the heat kernel coefficients for nonminimal operators

Abstract

We consider certain results for the heat kernel of nonminimal operators. The general expressions provided by Gusynin and Kornyak resulting from symbolic computation programmes for n dimensions are evaluated for 4 dimensions which are checked against results given by Barvinsky and Vilkovisky. We also check that the results in flat space are consistent with earlier results of Guendelmen et al. We then consider a powerful construction of the Green function of a nonminimal operator by Shore for covariantly constantly gauge fields in flat spacetime, and employ dimensional arguments to produce a check on the gauge parameter dependence of a certain coefficient. The connection of the results for heat kernel coefficients emanating from the construction of Shore, to those from other techniques is hereby established for the first time.Comment: 9 pages, plain latex, accepted for publication by Journal of Physics