Gauge coupling renormalisation with several U(1) factors

We examine the renormalisation of gauge coupling constants in theories with a G × U(1)^N gauge group (which appears to be the gauge symmetry of many possible superstring vacua). In general, the abelian gauge bosons mix among themselves, so a correct renormalisation requires including this mixing in the evolution of the gauge couplings. We present general results and note that the mixing is scale independent to all orders if the renormalization group trajectory passes through a unification point. We discuss the cases of one loop and two loops explicitly. An example, based on a possible superstring-inspired model, is given.