Two-Loop Effective Potential of O(N)-Symmetric Scalar QED in 4-epsilon Dimensions

Abstract

The effective potential of scalar QED is computed analytically up to two loops in the Landau gauge. The result is given in 4-epsilon dimensions using minimal subtraction and epsilon-expansions. In three dimensions, our calculation is intended to help throw light on unsolved problems of the superconducting phase transition, where critical exponents and the position of the tricritical point have not yet found a satisfactory explanation within the renormalization group approach.