(i) Consider the action
S=−4μ0c1∫(FμνFμν+2λ2AμAμ)d4x+c1∫AμJμd4x
where Aμ(x) is a 4-vector potential, Fμν=∂μAν−∂νAμ is the field strength tensor, Jμ(x) is a conserved current, and λ⩾0 is a constant. Derive the field equation
∂μFμν−λ2Aν=−μ0Jν.
For λ=0 the action S describes standard electromagnetism. Show that in this case the theory is invariant under gauge transformations of the field Aμ(x), which you should define. Is the theory invariant under these same gauge transformations when λ>0 ?
Show that when λ>0 the field equation above implies
∂μ∂μAν−λ2Aν=−μ0Jν
Under what circumstances does (∗) hold in the case λ=0 ?
(ii) Now suppose that Aμ(x) and Jμ(x) obeying (∗) reduce to static 3 -vectors A(x) and J(x) in some inertial frame. Show that there is a solution
A(x)=−μ0∫G(∣x−x′∣)J(x′)d3x′
for a suitable Green's function G(R) with G(R)→0 as R→∞. Determine G(R) for any λ⩾0. [Hint: You may find it helpful to consider first the case λ=0 and then the case λ>0, using the result ∇2(R1f(R))=∇2(R1)f(R)+R1f′′(R), where R=∣x−x′∣.]
If J(x) is zero outside some bounded region, comment on the effect of the value of λ on the behaviour of A(x) when ∣x∣ is large. [No further detailed calculations are required.]