Regularized determinants for quantum field theories with fermions (Q1067573)

Let \(D_ 0\) and \(D_ 1\) be Dirac operators with bounded inverses and D be a suitable operator-valued map defined on the interval [0,1] which connects \(D_ 0\) and \(D_ 1\). It is shown under certain conditions that \[ L_ M=\int^{1}_{0}\frac{dD(s)}{ds} D(s)^{-1} \exp (D(s)^ 2/M^ 2)ds \] is a trace class operator and exp Tr \(L_ M\) does not depend on the choice of the operator-valued map D. It is proposed that exp Tr \(L_ M\) is regarded as a regularized determinant of \(D_ 1D_ 0^{-1}.\) An application of the regularized determinant to the chiral anomaly is also given.