We calculate the vacuum expectation value of the stress-energy tensor for a quantized bulk scalar field in the Randall-Sundrum model and discuss the consequences of its local behavior for the self-consistency of the model. We find that, in general, the stress-energy tensor diverges in the vicinity of the branes. Our main conclusion is that the stress-energy tensor is sufficiently complicated that it has implications for the effective potential, or radion stabilization, methods that have so far been used.

• Received 25 September 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.69.044023