Gauge invariance and generalised $\eta$ regularisation

Abstract

We generalise the $\eta$ regularisation scheme in order to develop a framework for systematically studying regularisation of loops in quantum field theory. This allows us to "solve" a set of gauge consistency conditions for families of gauge invariant regularisation schemes. We recover several known examples such as dimensional and denominator regularisations, as well as some more general solutions. We also study anomalies in chiral theories in order to carefully describe how our formalism should be properly implemented.