Proper-Time Formalism in a Constant Magnetic Field at Finite Temperature and Chemical Potential

Abstract

We investigate scalar and spinor field theories in a constant magnetic field at finite temperature and chemical potential. In an external constant magnetic field the exact solution of the two-point Green functions are obtained by using the Fock-Schwinger proper-time formalism. We extend it to the thermal field theory and find the expressions of the Green functions exactly for the temperature, the chemical potential and the magnetic field. For practical calculations the contour of the proper-time integral is carefully selected. The physical contour is discussed in a constant magnetic field at finite temperature and chemical potential. As an example, behavior of the vacuum self-energy is numerically evaluated for the free scalar and spinor fields.