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Use natural units and the Minkowski metric $g_{\mu \nu }=\mathrm{diag}(1,-1,-1,-1)$. Varying the Proca action with respect to $A_{\nu }$ gives $\partial \mathcal{L}/\partial A_{\nu }=m^2{A}^{\nu }$ and $\partial \mathcal{L}/\partial ({\partial }_{\mu }{A}_{\nu })=-F^{\mu \nu }$. The Euler-Lagrange equation is thereforeTaking a divergence annihilates the antisymmetric field strength, since commuting derivatives are symmetric in their indices. For $m\ne 0$ this gives the Lorenz constraint in Proca theory ${\partial }_{\nu }{A}^{\nu }=0$, and hence $(\square +m^2)A^{\nu }=0$. The constraint follows from dynamics; it is not an additional gauge fixing condition for this massive theory.

For four-momentum $p^{\mu }=(E,0,0,p)$, longitudinal polarization of a massive vector boson lies in the time–$z$ plane, has $p\cdot \epsilon =0$ and is normalized by $\epsilon \cdot \epsilon =-1$. Takingsatisfies both requirements because $E^2-p^2=m^2$. It can also be obtained by boosting the rest-frame unit spatial polarization along the direction of motion. Together with two transverse polarizations it gives the three physical spin states of a massive spin one particle.

In the Higgs boson rest frame, choose $p^{\mu }=(E,0,0,p^{\ast })$ and $p^{\prime \mu }=(E,0,0,-p^{\ast })$, with $E=m_H/2$ and $p^{\ast 2}=m_H^2/4-m_W^2$. Consistent normalized longitudinal polarization vectors areTheir Lorentz contraction is $(p^{\ast 2}+E^2)/m_W^2=(2p^{\ast 2}+m_W^2)/m_W^2$. The Higgs boson coupling to W bosons consequently givesUsing the two-body Lorentz-invariant phase space, $p^{\ast }=m_H\sqrt{1-4x}/2$ and $v^{-2}=\sqrt{2}{G}_F$ yields the longitudinal partial decay widthThe charged W bosons are distinguishable, so there is no identical-particle factor of $1/2$. This expression includes the entire angular phase space but only the specified longitudinal final polarizations. The Higgs decay to two W bosons summed over all polarizations instead has the factor $1-4x+12x^2$; the additional transverse contribution is $8x^2$. At $m_H\gg m_W$ the longitudinal channel dominates and the leading width grows as $G_F{m}_H^3$.

Use signature $(-,+,+,+)$, for which $\square =-{\partial }_t^2+\Delta$. With the Lorenz constraint in Proca theory, the Proca equation is $(\square -m^2)A^a=-{\mu }_0{J}^a$. A static solution therefore satisfies $(\Delta -m^2)A^a=-{\mu }_0{J}^a$.

For $R>0$ direct radial differentiation gives $(\Delta -m^2)(e^{-mR}/R)=0$. At the origin its $1/R$ singularity contributes $-4\pi {\delta }_0$: integrating the Laplacian over a small sphere gives limiting outward flux $-4\pi$, while the mass term's integral tends to zero. Thus $G_m(R)=e^{-mR}/(4\pi R)$ obeys $(\Delta -m^2)G_m=-{\delta }_0$. Convolution proves the printed Yukawa potential solutionThe integral requires suitable source decay, for example compact support. For conserved static sources, differentiating the convolution and integrating by parts gives ${\partial }_a{A}^a=0$ as well; its spatial divergence is the convolution with ${\partial }_i{J}^i=0$.

For the usual nonnegative mass parameter this is the decaying static solution, and $m=0$ gives the Coulomb kernel with Lorenz gauge imposed. If the arbitrary real parameter is negative, the printed kernel still gives a particular solution for compact sources, but grows at infinity; the decaying boundary condition selects $e^{-|m|R}/(4\pi R)$ instead. Static sources also allow homogeneous time-dependent solutions, so this construction establishes a static solution, not that every solution is static.

Take ${\partial }_b$ of the Proca equation. Commuting partial derivatives and antisymmetry make ${\partial }_b{\partial }_a{F}^{ab}=0$, while current conservation gives ${\partial }_b{J}^b=0$. Thus $m^2{\partial }_b{A}^b=0$. For $m\ne 0$, $\boxed{{\partial }_b{A}^b=0}$. This Lorenz constraint in Proca theory is a consequence of the massive equations, rather than a gauge choice.

The stated “arbitrary constant” includes a genuine exception at $m=0$. Then the divergence condition is not implied: with $J=0$ and $A_a={\partial }_a\chi$, $F=0$ solves the equations for any smooth $\chi$, whereas ${\partial }_a{A}^a=\square \chi$ need not vanish. In the massless theory the Lorenz condition can instead be imposed as a gauge fixing.

Choose the Fourier transform conventionThen ${\partial }_a$ becomes $i{q}_a$. Applying this to the Lorenz constraint in Proca theory yieldsThus every physical Fourier transform mode is orthogonal to its four-momentum in the Minkowski metric.

Take the four-divergence of the Proca equation. Commuting partial derivatives and using that $F^{ab}$ is an antisymmetric second-rank tensor giveConsequently, for $m\ne 0$, ${\partial }_a{A}^a=0$. This is the Lorenz constraint in Proca theory: an equation of motion enforces it, rather than a choice of gauge fixing. It leaves $(\square -m^2)A^a=0$. At $m=0$ the divergence argument supplies no such constraint; the massless gauge symmetry requires a separate treatment.

Vary the four-potential with compactly supported variation. Antisymmetry of the electromagnetic field tensor gives $\delta (F_{\mu \nu }{F}^{\mu \nu })=4F^{\mu \nu }{\partial }_{\mu }\delta A_{\nu }$. Integration by parts therefore givesThus the Euler-Lagrange field equation is $\boxed{{\partial }_{\mu }{F}^{\mu \nu }-{\lambda }^2{A}^{\nu }=-{\mu }_0{J}^{\nu }}$.

A gauge transformation is $A_{\mu }\mapsto A_{\mu }+{\partial }_{\mu }\chi$. Commuting derivatives leave $F_{\mu \nu }$ unchanged. At $\lambda =0$, the source term changes by $c^{-1}\int {\partial }_{\mu }\chi J^{\mu }$, a boundary term because the current is conserved. With suitable boundary conditions the action is gauge invariant. For $\lambda >0$, the mass term changes by terms involving $2A^{\mu }{\partial }_{\mu }\chi +(\partial \chi {)}^2$, so the same arbitrary gauge transformations are not a symmetry.

Take the divergence of the field equation. Antisymmetry gives ${\partial }_{\nu }{\partial }_{\mu }{F}^{\mu \nu }=0$, and conservation gives ${\partial }_{\nu }{J}^{\nu }=0$. Thus ${\lambda }^2{\partial }_{\nu }{A}^{\nu }=0$. For $\lambda >0$ this is the Lorenz constraint in Proca theory, and expanding $F$ givesFor $\lambda =0$ the same reduced equation holds when the Lorenz gauge ${\partial }_{\mu }{A}^{\mu }=0$ is imposed. More generally it is enough that the divergence be spacetime constant, but the conventional vanishing boundary conditions set that constant to zero.

For the torsion-free Levi-Civita connection, cyclically summing the displayed coordinate expression and using ${\Gamma }^a{}_{bc}={\Gamma }^a{}_{cb}$ gives the algebraic first Bianchi identityApply the Jacobi identity to three covariant-derivative commutators, or differentiate the coordinate formula in normal coordinates. The third-derivative terms and the derivatives of quadratic connection terms cancel cyclically, giving the differential second Bianchi identityContracting the first and third curvature indices and then contracting once more yieldsor the contracted Bianchi identity

For the metric variation $h_{ab}=\delta g_{ab}$,while the two double-divergence terms in the supplied metric variation of scalar curvature become a boundary term after integration by parts for tensor fields. The Einstein-Hilbert action therefore contributes $G_{ab}+\Lambda g_{ab}$. Varying the Proca action with respect to the metric gives the Proca stress-energy tensor, and the full Einstein-Proca theory equation is

Since $\delta F_{ab}=2{\nabla }_{[a}\delta A_{b]}$, variation with respect to $A_b$ and one integration by parts give the covariant Proca equationTaking its covariant divergence givesbecause the resulting contractions pair the symmetric Ricci tensor with the antisymmetric electromagnetic field tensor. Since $m\ne 0$, the Lorenz constraint in Proca theory follows:Moreover, $F=dA$ and $d^2=0$, so the Electromagnetic Bianchi identity is

Finally, use that identity to differentiate the matter tensor. The result groups naturally asBoth terms vanish by the Proca equation and its Lorenz constraint in Proca theory. Thus ${\nabla }^a{T}_{ab}=0$, exactly as required by the contracted Bianchi identity applied to the Einstein field equations. The vector equation is therefore consistent with the gravitational equation.

Under $A_{\mu }\mapsto A_{\mu }+{\partial }_{\mu }\alpha$, the field strength is unchanged, but the mass term in the Proca action changes bywhich is not generally a total derivative. The mass therefore breaks gauge invariance.

The Euler-Lagrange field equation isTaking its divergence and using the antisymmetry of $F^{\mu \nu }$ gives $m^2{\partial }_{\nu }{A}^{\nu }=0$. Since $m>0$, the Lorenz constraint in Proca theory follows. Substitution back into the field equation then gives

Take the divergence of the field equation. Commuting derivatives and antisymmetry of $F^{\mu \nu }$ giveCurrent conservation then yieldsFor $m>0$,This is the Lorenz constraint in Proca theory; it follows dynamically rather than being a gauge choice.

Treat $B_{\mu }$ and $B_{\mu }^{\ast }$ as independent variables in the Euler-Lagrange equation. Varying $B_{\nu }^{\ast }$ gives the Proca equationThe divergence of its first term vanishes by antisymmetry and commuting partial derivatives. Since $M\ne 0$, it follows that ${\partial }_{\nu }{B}^{\nu }=0$. Substitution into the original equation givesThe complex-conjugate variation gives ${\partial }_{\mu }{G}^{\ast \mu \nu }+M^2{B}^{\ast \nu }=0$, hence $(\square +M^2)B^{\ast \nu }=0$ and ${\partial }_{\nu }{B}^{\ast \nu }=0$.

For an on-shell plane wave $B^{\mu }={\epsilon }^{\mu }{e}^{-ipx}$, the Lorenz constraint in Proca theory is $p_{\mu }{\epsilon }^{\mu }=0$. In the rest frame it sets ${\epsilon }^0=0$, leaving three complex particle polarizations. Thus the complex Proca field has three independent complex dynamical components, or six real ones; its quantized particle and antiparticle each have three physical particle polarizations. The conjugate field is not another unrelated classical field.

With Minkowski metric signature $(+---)$ and source coupling $-{\mu }_0{J}_{\mu }{A}^{\mu }$ added to the Proca action, a massive vector field coupled to a conserved current obeysIn vacuum this gives $(\square +m^2)A^{\nu }=0$ after imposing the dynamically derived Lorenz constraint in Proca theory. The explicit mass term breaks the gauge invariance of the massless Maxwell theory.