arXiv subjects

Alberto Ramos

Publications and source records attributed to Alberto Ramos.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2019

Automatic differentiation for error analysis of Monte Carlo data

Automatic Differentiation (AD) allows to determine exactly the Taylor series of any function truncated at any order. Here we propose to use AD techniques for Monte Carlo data analysis. We discuss how to estimate errors of a general function of measured observables in different Monte Carlo simulations. Our proposal combines the $Γ$-method with Automatic differentiation, allowing exact error propagation in arbitrary observables, even those defined via iterative algorithms. The case of special interest where we estimate the error in fit parameters is discussed in detail. We also present a freely available fortran reference implementation of the ideas discussed in this work.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2018

Controlling quark mass determinations non-perturbatively in three-flavour QCD

The determination of quark masses from lattice QCD simulations requires a non-perturbative renormalization procedure and subsequent scale evolution to high energies, where a conversion to the commonly used MS-bar scheme can be safely established. We present our results for the non-perturbative running of renormalized quark masses in Nf=3 QCD between the electroweak and a hadronic energy scale, where lattice simulations are at our disposal. Recent theoretical advances in combination with well-established techniques allows to follow the scale evolution to very high statistical accuracy, and full control of systematic effects.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2018

Non-perturbative quark mass renormalisation and running in $N_f=3$ QCD

We determine from first principles the quark mass anomalous dimension in Nf=3 QCD between the electroweak and hadronic scales. This allows for a fully non-perturbative connection of the perturbative and non-perturbative regimes of the Standard Model in the hadronic sector. The computation is carried out to high accuracy, employing massless O(a)-improved Wilson quarks and finite-size scaling techniques. We also provide the matching factors required in the renormalisation of light quark masses from lattice computations with O(a)-improved Wilson fermions and a tree-level Symanzik improved gauge action. The total uncertainty due to renormalisation and running in the determination of light quark masses in the SM is thus reduced to about 1%.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2018

A non-perturbative exploration of the high energy regime in $N_\text{f}=3$ QCD

Using continuum extrapolated lattice data we trace a family of running couplings in three-flavour QCD over a large range of scales from about 4 to 128 GeV. The scale is set by the finite space time volume so that recursive finite size techniques can be applied, and Schrödinger functional (SF) boundary conditions enable direct simulations in the chiral limit. Compared to earlier studies we have improved on both statistical and systematic errors. Using the SF coupling to implicitly define a reference scale $1/L_0\approx 4$ GeV through $\bar{g}^2(L_0) =2.012$, we quote $L_0 Λ^{N_{\rm f}=3}_{\overline{\rm MS}} =0.0791(21)$. This error is dominated by statistics; in particular, the remnant perturbative uncertainty is negligible and very well controlled, by connecting to infinite renormalization scale from different scales $2^n/L_0$ for $n=0,1,\ldots,5$. An intermediate step in this connection may involve any member of a one-parameter family of SF couplings. This provides an excellent opportunity for tests of perturbation theory some of which have been published in a letter [1]. The results indicate that for our target precision of 3 per cent in $L_0 Λ^{N_{\rm f}=3}_{\overline{\rm MS}}$, a reliable estimate of the truncation error requires non-perturbative data for a sufficiently large range of values of $α_s=\bar{g}^2/(4π)$. In the present work we reach this precision by studying scales that vary by a factor $2^5= 32$, reaching down to $α_s\approx 0.1$. We here provide the details of our analysis and an extended discussion.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2017

openQ*D simulation code for QCD+QED

The openQ*D code for the simulation of QCD+QED with C$^\star$ boundary conditions is presented. This code is based on openQCD-1.6, from which it inherits the core features that ensure its efficiency: the locally-deflated SAP-preconditioned GCR solver, the twisted-mass frequency splitting of the fermion action, the multilevel integrator, the 4th order OMF integrator, the SSE/AVX intrinsics, etc. The photon field is treated as fully dynamical and C$^\star$ boundary conditions can be chosen in the spatial directions. We discuss the main features of openQ*D, and we show basic test results and performance analysis. An alpha version of this code is publicly available and can be downloaded from http://rcstar.web.cern.ch/ .

hep-lat↗

arXiv2016

Non-perturbative running of quark masses in three-flavour QCD

We present our preliminary results for the computation of the non-perturbative running of renormalized quark masses in $N_f = 3$ QCD, between the electroweak and hadronic scales, using standard finite-size scaling techniques. The computation is carried out to very high precision, using massless $\mathcal{O}(a)$-improved Wilson quarks. Following the strategy adopted by the ALPHA Collaboration for the running coupling, different schemes are used above and below a scale $μ_0 \sim m_b$, which differ by using either the Schrödinger Functional or Gradient Flow renormalized coupling. We discuss our results for the running in both regions, and the procedure to match the two schemes.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2016

The determination of $α_s$ by the ALPHA collaboration

We review the ALPHA collaboration strategy for obtaining the QCD coupling at high scale. In the three-flavor effective theory it avoids the use of perturbation theory at $α> 0.2$ and at the same time has the physical scales small compared to the cutoff $1/a$ in all stages of the computation. The result $Λ_\overline{MS}^{(3)}=332(14)$~MeV is translated to $α_\overline{MS}(m_Z)=0.1179(10)(2)$ by use of (high order) perturbative relations between the effective theory couplings at the charm and beauty quark "thresholds". The error of this perturbative step is discussed and estimated as $0.0002$.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2016

Determination of the QCD $Λ$-parameter and the accuracy of perturbation theory at high energies

We discuss the determination of the strong coupling $α_\mathrm{\overline{MS}}^{}(m_\mathrm{Z})$ or equivalently the QCD $Λ$-parameter. Its determination requires the use of perturbation theory in $α_s(μ)$ in some scheme, $s$, and at some energy scale $μ$. The higher the scale $μ$ the more accurate perturbation theory becomes, owing to asymptotic freedom. As one step in our computation of the $Λ$-parameter in three-flavor QCD, we perform lattice computations in a scheme which allows us to non-perturbatively reach very high energies, corresponding to $α_s = 0.1$ and below. We find that (continuum) perturbation theory is very accurate there, yielding a three percent error in the $Λ$-parameter, while data around $α_s \approx 0.2$ is clearly insufficient to quote such a precision. It is important to realize that these findings are expected to be generic, as our scheme has advantageous properties regarding the applicability of perturbation theory.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2016

Slow running of the Gradient Flow coupling from 200 MeV to 4 GeV in $N_{\rm f}=3$ QCD

Using a finite volume Gradient Flow (GF) renormalization scheme with Schrödinger Functional (SF) boundary conditions, we compute the non-perturbative running coupling in the range $2.2 \lesssim {\bar g}_\mathrm{GF}^2(L) \lesssim 13$. Careful continuum extrapolations turn out to be crucial to reach our high accuracy. The running of the coupling is always between one-loop and two-loop and very close to one-loop in the region of $200\,{\rm MeV} \lesssim μ=1/L \lesssim 4\,{\rm GeV}$. While there is no convincing contact to two-loop running, we match non-perturbatively to the SF coupling with background field. In this case we know the $μ$ dependence up to $\sim 100\,{\rm GeV}$ and can thus connect to the $Λ$-parameter.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2015

The Yang-Mills gradient flow and SU(3) gauge theory with 12 massless fundamental fermions in a colour-twisted box

We perform the step-scaling investigation of the running coupling constant, using the gradient-flow scheme, in SU(3) gauge theory with twelve massless fermions in the fundamental representation. The Wilson plaquette gauge action and massless unimproved staggered fermions are used in the simulations. Our lattice data are prepared at high accuracy, such that the statistical error for the renormalised coupling, g_GF, is at the subpercentage level. To investigate the reliability of the continuum extrapolation, we employ two different lattice discretisations to obtain g_GF. For our simulation setting, the corresponding gauge-field averaging radius in the gradient flow has to be almost half of the lattice size, in order to have this extrapolation under control. We can determine the renormalisation group evolution of the coupling up to g^2_GF ~ 6, before the onset of the bulk phase structure. In this infrared regime, the running of the coupling is significantly slower than the two-loop perturbative prediction, although we cannot draw definite conclusion regarding possible infrared conformality of this theory. Furthermore, we comment on the issue regarding the continuum extrapolation near an infrared fixed point. In addition to adopting the fit ansatz a'la Symanzik for performing this task, we discuss a possible alternative procedure inspired by properties derived from low-energy scale invariance at strong coupling. Based on this procedure, we propose a finite-size scaling method for the renormalised coupling as a means to search for infrared fixed point. Using this method, it can be shown that the behaviour of the theory around g^2_GF ~ 6 is still not governed by possible infrared conformality.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2015

A status update on the determination of $Λ_{\overline{\rm MS}}^{N_{\rm f}=3}$ by the ALPHA collaboration

The ALPHA collaboration aims to determine $α_s(m_Z)$ with a total error below the percent level. A further step towards this goal can be taken by combining results from the recent simulations of 2+1-flavour QCD by the CLS initiative with a number of tools developed over the years: renormalized couplings in finite volume schemes, recursive finite size techniques, two-loop renormalized perturbation theory and the (improved) gradient flow on the lattice. We sketch the strategy, which involves both the standard SF coupling in the high energy regime and a gradient flow coupling at low energies. This implies the need for matching both schemes at an intermediate switching scale, $L_{\rm swi}$, which we choose roughly in the range 2-4 GeV. In this contribution we present a preliminary result for this matching procedure, and we then focus on our almost final results for the scale evolution of the SF coupling from $L_{\rm swi}$ towards the perturbative regime, where we extract the $N_{\rm f} = 3$ $Λ$-parameter, $Λ_{\overline{\rm MS}}^{N_{\rm f}=3}$, in units of $L_{\rm swi}$ . Connecting $L_{\rm swi}$ and thus the $Λ$-parameter to a hadronic scale such as $F_K$ requires 2 further ingredients: first, the connection of $L_{\rm swi}$ to $L_{\rm max}$ using a few steps with the step-scaling function of the gradient flow coupling, and, second, the continuum extrapolation of $L_{\rm max} F_K$.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2015

Lattice study for conformal windows of SU(2) and SU(3) gauge theories with fundamental fermions

We present our investigation of SU(2) gauge theory with 8 flavours, and SU(3) gauge theory with 12 flavours. For the SU(2) case, at strong bare coupling, $β\lesssim 1.45$, the distribution of the lowest eigenvalue of the Dirac operator can be described by chiral random matrix theory for the Gaussian symplectic ensemble. Our preliminary result indicates that the chiral phase transition in this theory is of bulk nature. For the SU(3) theory, we use high-precision lattice data to perform the step-scaling study of the coupling, $g_{\rm GF}$, in the Gradient Flow scheme. We carefully examine the reliability of the continuum extrapolation in the analysis, and conclude that the scaling behaviour of this SU(3) theory is not governed by possible infrared conformality at $g_{\rm GF}^{2} \lesssim 6$.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2015

(Dimensional) twisted reduction in large N gauge theories

We show that the spontaneous breaking of center symmetry can be avoided on a $L^2\times 1^2$ lattice with the appropriate choice of twisted boundary conditions. In order for this to work it is crucial that the twisted boundary conditions are chosen in the reduced plane. This suggests that the choice of twist tensor can influence the directions in which color and space degrees of freedom become indistinguishable. We also present some preliminary quantitative data comparing the value of the plaquette for different forms of reduction.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2015

Charged hadrons in local finite-volume QED+QCD with C* boundary conditions

In order to calculate QED corrections to hadronic physical quantities by means of lattice simulations, a coherent description of electrically-charged states in finite volume is needed. In the usual periodic setup, Gauss's law and large gauge transformations forbid the propagation of electrically-charged states. A possible solution to this problem, which does not violate the axioms of local quantum field theory, has been proposed by Wiese and Polley, and is based on the use of C* boundary conditions. We present a thorough analysis of the properties and symmetries of QED in isolation and QED coupled to QCD, with C* boundary conditions. In particular we learn that a certain class of electrically-charged states can be constructed in this setup in a fully consistent fashion, without relying on gauge fixing. We argue that this class of states covers most of the interesting phenomenological applications in the framework of numerical simulations. We also calculate finite-volume corrections to the mass of stable charged particles and show that these are much smaller than in non-local formulations of QED.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

The Yang-Mills gradient flow and renormalization

In this proceedings contribution we will review the main ideas behind the many recent works that apply the gradient flow to the determination of the renormalized coupling and the renormalization of composite operators. We will pay special attention to the continuum extrapolation of flow quantities.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2015

A comparison of updating algorithms for large N reduced models

We investigate Monte Carlo updating algorithms for simulating $SU(N)$ Yang-Mills fields on a single-site lattice, such as for the Twisted Eguchi-Kawai model (TEK). We show that performing only over-relaxation (OR) updates of the gauge links is a valid simulation algorithm for the Fabricius and Haan formulation of this model, and that this decorrelates observables faster than using heat-bath updates. We consider two different methods of implementing the OR update: either updating the whole $SU(N)$ matrix at once, or iterating through $SU(2)$ subgroups of the $SU(N)$ matrix, we find the same critical exponent in both cases, and only a slight difference between the two.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2015

On O($a^2$) effects in gradient flow observables

In lattice gauge theories, the gradient flow has been used extensively both, for scale setting and for defining finite volume renormalization schemes for the gauge coupling. Unfortunately, rather large cutoff effects have been observed in some cases. We here investigate these effects to leading order in perturbation theory, considering various definitions of the lattice observable, the lattice flow equation and the Yang Mills lattice action. These considerations suggest an improved set- up for which we perform a scaling test in the pure SU(3) gauge theory, demonstrating strongly reduced cutoff effects. We then attempt to obtain a more complete understanding of the structure of O($a^2$) effects by applying Symanzik's effective theory approach to the 4+1 dimensional local field theory with flow time as the fifth dimension. From these considerations we are led to a fully O($a^2$) improved set-up the study of which is left to future work.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2014

Form factors for $\mathrm B_\mathrm s \to \mathrm K \ell ν$ decays in Lattice QCD

We present the current status of the computation of the form factor $f_+ (q^2)$ for the semi-leptonic decay $\mathrm B_\mathrm s \to \mathrm K \ell ν$ by the ALPHA collaboration. We use gauge configurations which were generated as part of the Coordinated Lattice Simulations (CLS) effort. They have $N_\mathrm f=2$ non-perturbatively $O(a)$ improved Wilson fermions, and pion masses down to $\approx 250 \,\mathrm {MeV}$ with $m_πL \geq 4$. The heavy quark is treated in non-perturbative Heavy Quark Effective Theory (HQET). We discuss how to extract the form factors from the correlation functions and present first results for the form factor at $q^2 = 21.23\,\mathrm{GeV}^2$ extrapolated to the continuum. Next-to-leading order terms in HQET and the chiral extrapolation still need to be included in the analysis.

hep-lat↗