  For field theories in one time and one space dimensions we propose an
efficient method to compute the vacuum polarization energy of static field
configurations that do not allow a decomposition into symmetric and
anti--symmetric channels. The method also applies to scenarios in which the
masses of the quantum fluctuations at positive and negative spatial infinity
are different. As an example we compute the vacuum polarization energy of the
kink soliton in the $\phi^6$ model. We link the dependence of this energy on
the position of the soliton to the different masses.

High Energy Physics - Theory;High Energy Physics - Phenomenology;Pattern Formation and Solitons