Multiloop calculations of effective action for local composite operators

Effective action for local composite operators is described for both the standard loop expansion formulation and an improved two-particle irreducible formulation. Rules for calculating multiloop contributions to the effective action are given in both formulations and are exemplified in the Gross-Neveu model in the large-N limit. Calculation of the exact effective action in the Gross-Neveu model is considerably simplified in the improved formulation. Results obtained from the conventional auxiliary field method, like dynamical symmetry breaking, non-classical solitions, etc., can all be obtained in the present formulation by dealing with the composite operators directly without introducing auxiliary fields. The present method can be applied to models in which the auxiliary field method is difficult to implement.