QED effective action revisited

Abstract

The derivation of a convergent series representation for the quantum electrodynamic effective action obtained by two of us (S.R.V. and D.R.L.) in [Can. J. Phys. 71, 389 (1993)] is reexamined. We present more details of our original derivation. Moreover, we discuss the relation of the electric-magnetic duality to the integral representation for the effective action, and we consider the application of nonlinear convergence acceleration techniques that permit the efficient and reliable numerical evaluation of the quantum correction to the Maxwell Lagrangian. PACS Nos.: 11.15Bt, 11.10Jj, 12.20Ds