Some remarks on causality, Lorentz invariance and the generalized Matthews' rule for a massive spin one vector field in an external potential

Abstract

A massive spin one vector field is quantized in the presence of an external potential, with source linear in the vector field, to provide an illustration of the aspects of a quantum theory in an external potential, which are reflections of the causal nature of the corresponding classical theory. In the examples considered, the S operator of the quantum theory is found to be Lorentz invariant or not, according as the corresponding classical theory is causal or not. The normal dependence of the interaction hamiltonian, and the applicability of the generalized Matthews' rule are also discussed.