JUSTIFICATION OF THE ZETA-FUNCTION RENORMALIZATION IN RIGID STRING MODEL

A consistent procedure for regularization of divergences and for subse quent renormalization of the string tension is proposed in the framewo rk of the one-loop calculation of the interquark potential generated b y the Polyakov-Kleinert string. In this way, a justification of the fo rmal treatment of divergences by analytic continuation of the Riemann and Epstein-Hurwitz zeta functions is given. A spectral representation for the renormalized string energy at zero temperature is derived, wh ich enables one to find the Casimir energy in this string model at non zero temperature very easy. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.