Effective potential in a curved space-time

A method is proposed for finding the effective potential in an external gravitational field on the basis of the equation of a renormalized group. The effective potential is found in the single-loop approximation for the scalar field theory and for the asymptotically free theory containing non-Abelian calibration fields, scalars, and spinors with an arbitrary value of the parameter of nonminimal coupling between the scalar and gravitational fields. The effect of quantum corrections on spontaneous symmetry violation is discussed.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 7, pp. 17–22, July, 1984.