arXiv subjects

Andre Walker-Loud

Publications and source records attributed to Andre Walker-Loud.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2023

Progress in generating gauge ensembles with Stabilized Wilson Fermions

The continued generation of $N_f=2+1$ quark flavor gauge configurations using stabilized Wilson fermions by the open lattice initiative (OpenLat) is reported. We present the status of our ongoing production and show updates on increasing statistics at the four lattice spacings $a=0.12, 0.094, 0.077$ and $0.064$ fm. Aside from the $SU(3)$ flavor symmetric point we discuss advancements in going towards physical pion masses. We show preliminary results of the pion decay constants, extending previous results, and discuss further validation observables on the available ensembles.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2023

Low-lying baryon resonances from lattice QCD

Recent results studying the masses and widths of low-lying baryon resonances in lattice QCD are presented. The $S$-wave $Nπ$ scattering lengths for both total isospins $I = 1/2$ and $I = 3/2$ are inferred from the finite-volume spectrum below the inelastic threshold together with the $I = 3/2$ $P$-wave containing the $Δ(1232)$ resonance. A lattice QCD computation employing a combined basis of three-quark and meson-baryon interpolating operators with definite momentum to determine the coupled channel $Σπ$-$N\overline{K}$ scattering amplitude in the $Λ(1405)$ region is also presented. Our results support the picture of a two-pole structure suggested by theoretical approaches based on $SU(3)$ chiral symmetry and unitarity.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2023

Gauge generation and dissemination in OpenLat

In this contribution we report the status and plans of the open lattice initiative to generate and share new gauge ensembles using the stabilised Wilson fermion framework. The production strategy is presented in terms of a three stage plan alongside summaries of the data management as well as access policies. Current progress in completing the first stage of generating ensembles at four lattice spacings at the flavor symmetric point is given.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2023

Benchmark Continuum Limit Results for Spectroscopy with Stabilized Wilson Fermions

The OpenLat initiative presents its results of lattice QCD simulations using Stabilized Wilson Fermions (SWF) using 2+1 quark flavors. Focusing on the $\mathrm{SU}(3)$ flavor symmetric point $m_π=m_K=412$ MeV, four different lattice spacings ($a=0.064,0.077,0.094,0.12$ fm) are used to perform the continuum limit to study cutoff effects. We present results on light hadron masses; for the determination we use a Bayesian analysis framework with constraints and model averaging to minimize the bias in the analysis.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2022

Properties, ensembles and hadron spectra with Stabilised Wilson Fermions

In this joint contribution we announce the formation of the "OPEN LATtice initiative", https://openlat1.gitlab.io, to study Stabilised Wilson Fermions (SWF). They are a new avenue for QCD calculations with Wilson-type fermions and we report results on our continued study of this framework: Tuning the clover improvement coefficient, and extending the reach of lattice spacings to $a=0.12$ fm. We fix the flavor symmetric points $m_π=m_K=412$ MeV at $a=0.055,0.064, 0.077, 0.094, 0.12$ fm and define the trajectories to the physical point by fixing the trace of the quark mass matrix. Currently our pion mass range extends down to $m_π\sim200$ MeV. We outline our tuning goals and strategy as well as our future planned ensembles. First scaling studies are performed on $f_π$ and $m_π$. Additionally results of a preliminary continuum extrapolation of $m_N$ at the flavor symmetric point are presented. Going further a first determination of the light and strange hadron spectrum chiral dependence is shown, which serves to check the quality of the action for precision measurements. We also investigate other quantities such as flowed gauge observables to study how the continuum limit is approached. Taken together we observe the SWF enable us to perform stable lattice simulations across a large range of parameters in mass, volume and lattice spacing. Pooling resources our new initiative has made our reported progress possible and through it we will share generated gauge ensembles under an open science philosophy.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2021

Toward a resolution of the NN controversy

Lattice QCD calculations of two-nucleon interactions have been underway for about a decade, but still haven't reached the pion mass regime necessary for matching onto effective field theories and extrapolating to the physical point. Furthermore, results from different methods, including the use of the Luscher formalism with different types of operators, as well as the HALQCD potential method, do not agree even qualitatively at very heavy pion mass. We investigate the role that different operators employed in the literature may play on the extraction of spectra for use within the Luscher method. We first explore expectations from Effective Field Theory solved within a finite volume, for which the exact spectrum may be computed given different physical scenarios. We then present preliminary lattice QCD results for two-nucleon spectra calculated using different operators on a common lattice ensemble.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2019

On the Cottingham formula and the electromagnetic contribution to the proton-neutron mass splitting

The excess mass of the neutron over the proton arises from two sources within the Standard Model, electromagnetism and the splitting of the down and up quark masses. The Cottingham Formula provides a means of determining the QED corrections from the forward Compton Amplitude, but this is challenged by the need for a subtraction function and the mixing of the QED and QCD (electro-weak) effects. I review the present understanding of the Cottingham Formula, including a discussion on the development of the formula, its renormalization which induces the mixing of QED and QCD effects, and the necessary modeling of the subtraction function that must be done to arrive a numerical prediction. I summarize the Regge Model originally proposed by Gasser and Leutwyler and I also review the proposed model by Walker-Loud, Carlson and Miller, which is an interpolation function between the low and high $Q^2$ regimes, both of which are anchored by rigorous theoretical underpinnings, for which I argue a more reliable theoretical uncertainty estimate can be obtained.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2018

On the definition of schemes for computing leading order isospin breaking corrections

We discuss an alternate scheme, or a 'line of constant physics', which can be used when computing isospin breaking corrections to hadronic quantities. We show that within a certain class of schemes one can separate the electromagnetic corrections from the strong isospin breaking corrections at leading order, meaning that within this class scheme-ambiguities are higher order effects.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2017

Nucleon axial coupling from Lattice QCD

We present state-of-the-art results from a lattice QCD calculation of the nucleon axial coupling, $g_A$, using Möbius Domain-Wall fermions solved on the dynamical $N_f = 2 + 1 + 1$ HISQ ensembles after they are smeared using the gradient-flow algorithm. Relevant three-point correlation functions are calculated using a method inspired by the Feynman-Hellmann theorem, and demonstrate significant improvement in signal for fixed stochastic samples. The calculation is performed at five pion masses of $m_π\sim \{400, 350, 310, 220, 130\}$~MeV, three lattice spacings of $a\sim\{0.15, 0.12, 0.09\}$~fm, and we do a dedicated volume study with $m_πL\sim\{3.22, 4.29, 5.36\}$. Control over all relevant sources of systematic uncertainty are demonstrated and quantified. We achieve a preliminary value of $g_A = 1.285(17)$, with a relative uncertainty of 1.33\%.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2017

Möbius domain-wall fermions on gradient-flowed dynamical HISQ ensembles

We report on salient features of a mixed lattice QCD action using valence Möbius domain-wall fermions solved on the dynamical $N_f=2+1+1$ HISQ ensembles generated by the MILC Collaboration. The approximate chiral symmetry properties of the valence fermions are shown to be significantly improved by utilizing the gradient-flow scheme to first smear the HISQ configurations. The greater numerical cost of the Möbius domain-wall inversions is mitigated by the highly efficient QUDA library optimized for NVIDIA GPU accelerated compute nodes. We have created an interface to this optimized QUDA solver in Chroma. We provide tuned parameters of the action and performance of QUDA using ensembles with the lattice spacings $a \simeq \{0.15, 0.12, 0.09\}$ fm and pion masses $m_π\simeq \{310, 220,130\}$ MeV. We have additionally generated two new ensembles with $a\sim0.12$ fm and $m_π\sim\{400, 350\}$ MeV. With a fixed flow-time of $t_{gf}=1$ in lattice units, the residual chiral symmetry breaking of the valence fermions is kept below 10\% of the light quark mass on all ensembles, $m_{res} \lesssim 0.1\times m_l$, with moderate values of the fifth dimension $L_5$ and a domain-wall height $M_5 \leq 1.3$. As a benchmark calculation, we perform a continuum, infinite volume, physical pion and kaon mass extrapolation of $F_{K^\pm}/F_{π^\pm}$ and demonstrate our results are independent of flow-time, and consistent with the FLAG determination of this quantity at the level of less than one standard deviation.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2017

On the Feynman-Hellmann Theorem in Quantum Field Theory and the Calculation of Matrix Elements

The Feynman-Hellmann theorem can be derived from the long Euclidean-time limit of correlation functions determined with functional derivatives of the partition function. Using this insight, we fully develop an improved method for computing matrix elements of external currents utilizing only two-point correlation functions. Our method applies to matrix elements of any external bilinear current, including nonzero momentum transfer, flavor-changing, and two or more current insertion matrix elements. The ability to identify and control all the systematic uncertainties in the analysis of the correlation functions stems from the unique time dependence of the ground-state matrix elements and the fact that all excited states and contact terms are Euclidean-time dependent. We demonstrate the utility of our method with a calculation of the nucleon axial charge using gradient-flowed domain-wall valence quarks on the $N_f=2+1+1$ MILC highly improved staggered quark ensemble with lattice spacing and pion mass of approximately 0.15 fm and 310 MeV respectively. We show full control over excited-state systematics with the new method and obtain a value of $g_A = 1.213(26)$ with a quark-mass-dependent renormalization coefficient.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2017

Quantifying the sensitivity of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis to isospin breaking with input from lattice QCD

We perform the first quantitative study of the sensitivity of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis to variations in isospin breaking with precise input from lattice QCD calculations. The predicted light nuclear abundances are most sensitive to the neutron-proton mass splitting as both the initial relative abundance of neutrons to protons and the $n \rightleftharpoons p$ weak reaction rates are very sensitive to this quantity. Lattice QCD has been used to determine this mass splitting to greater than 5-sigma, including contributions from both the down-quark up-quark mass splitting, $2δ= m_d-m_u$ and from electromagnetic coupling of the quarks to the photons with a strength governed by the fine structure constant, $α_{fs}$. At leading order in isospin breaking, the contribution of $δ$ and $α_{fs}$ to $M_n-M_p$ and the nuclear reaction rates can be varied independently. We use this knowledge and input from lattice QCD to quantitatively study variations of the predicted light nuclear abundances as $δ$ and $α_{fs}$ are varied. The change in the D and ${}^4$He abundances individually allow for potentially large simultaneous variations in $δ$ and $α_{fs}$ while maintaining consistency with the observed abundances, however the combined comparison restricts variations in these sources of isospin breaking to less than $\lesssim1.25\%$ at the 3-sigma confidence level. This sensitivity can be used to place tight constraints on prospective beyond the Standard Model theories that would modify these isospin breaking effects in the primordial Universe.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2017

Lattice QCD spectroscopy for hadronic CP violation

The interpretation of nuclear electric dipole moment (EDM) experiments is clouded by large theoretical uncertainties associated with nonperturbative matrix elements. In various beyond-the-Standard Model scenarios nuclear and diamagnetic atomic EDMs are expected to be dominated by CP-violating pion-nucleon interactions that arise from quark chromo-electric dipole moments. The corresponding CP-violating pion-nucleon coupling strengths are, however, poorly known. In this work we propose a strategy to calculate these couplings by using spectroscopic lattice QCD techniques. Instead of directly calculating the pion-nucleon coupling constants, a challenging task, we use chiral symmetry relations that link the pion-nucleon couplings to nucleon sigma terms and mass splittings that are significantly easier to calculate. In this work, we show that these relations are reliable up to next-to-next-to-leading order in the chiral expansion in both SU(2) and SU(3) chiral perturbation theory. We conclude with a brief discussion about practical details regarding the required lattice QCD calculations and the phenomenological impact of an improved understanding of CP-violating matrix elements.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2017

An accurate calculation of the nucleon axial charge with lattice QCD

We report on a lattice QCD calculation of the nucleon axial charge, $g_A$, using Möbius Domain-Wall fermions solved on the dynamical $N_f=2+1+1$ HISQ ensembles after they are smeared using the gradient-flow algorithm. The calculation is performed with three pion masses, $m_π\sim\{310,220,130\}$ MeV. Three lattice spacings ($a\sim\{0.15,0.12,0.09\}$ fm) are used with the heaviest pion mass, while the coarsest two spacings are used on the middle pion mass and only the coarsest spacing is used with the near physical pion mass. On the $m_π\sim220$ MeV, $a\sim0.12$ fm point, a dedicated volume study is performed with $m_πL \sim \{3.22,4.29,5.36\}$. Using a new strategy motivated by the Feynman-Hellmann Theorem, we achieve a precise determination of $g_A$ with relatively low statistics, and demonstrable control over the excited state, continuum, infinite volume and chiral extrapolation systematic uncertainties, the latter of which remains the dominant uncertainty. Our final determination at 2.6\% total uncertainty is $g_A = 1.278(21)(26)$, with the first uncertainty including statistical and systematic uncertainties from fitting and the second including model selection systematics related to the chiral and continuum extrapolation. The largest reduction of the second uncertainty will come from a greater number of pion mass points as well as more precise lattice QCD results near the physical pion mass.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2016

Two-Nucleon Higher Partial-Wave Scattering from Lattice QCD

We present a determination of nucleon-nucleon scattering phase shifts for l >= 0. The S, P, D and F phase shifts for both the spin-triplet and spin-singlet channels are computed with lattice Quantum ChromoDynamics. For l > 0, this is the first lattice QCD calculation using the Luscher finite-volume formalism. This required the design and implementation of novel lattice methods involving displaced sources and momentum-space cubic sinks. To demonstrate the utility of our approach, the calculations were performed in the SU(3)-flavor limit where the light quark masses have been tuned to the physical strange quark mass, corresponding to m_pi = m_K ~ 800 MeV. In this work, we have assumed that only the lowest partial waves contribute to each channel, ignoring the unphysical partial wave mixing that arises within the finite-volume formalism. This assumption is only valid for sufficiently low energies; we present evidence that it holds for our study using two different channels. Two spatial volumes of V ~ (3.5 fm)^3 and V ~ (4.6 fm)^3 were used. The finite-volume spectrum is extracted from the exponential falloff of the correlation functions. Said spectrum is mapped onto the infinite volume phase shifts using the generalization of the Luscher formalism for two-nucleon systems.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2016

Strong isospin violation and chiral logarithms in the baryon spectrum

We present a precise lattice QCD calculation of the contribution to the neutron-proton mass splitting arising from strong isospin breaking, $m_n-m_p|_{QCD}=2.32\pm0.17$ MeV. We also determine $m_{Ξ^-} - m_{Ξ^0}|_{QCD} = 5.44\pm0.31$ MeV. The calculation is performed at three values of the pion mass, with several values of the quark mass splitting and multiple lattice volumes, but only a single lattice spacing and an estimate of discretization errors. The calculations are performed on the anisotropic clover-Wilson ensembles generated by the Hadron Spectrum Collaboration. The omega-baryon mass is used to set the scale $a_t^{-1}=6111\pm127$ MeV, while the kaon masses are used to determine the value of the light-quark mass spitting. The nucleon mass splitting is then determined as a function of the pion mass. We observe, for the first time, conclusive evidence for non-analytic light quark mass dependence in lattice QCD calculations of the baryon spectrum. When left as a free parameter, the fits prefer a nucleon axial coupling of $g_A=1.24(56)$. To highlight the presence of this chiral logarithm in the nucleon mass splitting, we also compute the isospin splitting in the cascade-baryon system which is less sensitive to chiral dynamics. Finally, we update the best lattice QCD determination of the CP-odd pion-nucleon coupling that would arise from a non-zero QCD theta-term, $\bar{g}_0 / (\sqrt{2}f_π) = (14.7\pm1.8\pm1.4) \cdot 10^{-3} \barθ$. The original lattice QCD correlation functions, analysis results and extrapolated quantities are packaged in HDF5 files made publicly available including a simple Python script to access the numerical results, construct effective mass plots along with our analysis results, and perform the extrapolations of various quantities determined in this work.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2016

Neutrinoless double beta decay from lattice QCD

While the discovery of non-zero neutrino masses is one of the most important accomplishments by physicists in the past century, it is still unknown how and in what form these masses arise. Lepton number-violating neutrinoless double beta decay is a natural consequence of Majorana neutrinos and many BSM theories, and many experimental efforts are involved in the search for these processes. Understanding how neutrinoless double beta decay would manifest in nuclear environments is key for understanding any observed signals. In these proceedings we present an overview of a set of one- and two-body matrix elements relevant for experimental searches for neutrinoless double beta decay, describe the role of lattice QCD calculations, and present preliminary lattice QCD results.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2016

Massive photons: an infrared regularization scheme for lattice QCD+QED

Standard methods for including electromagnetic interactions in lattice quantum chromodynamics calculations result in power-law finite-volume corrections to physical quantities. Removing these by extrapolation requires costly computations at multiple volumes. We introduce a photon mass to alternatively regulate the infrared, and rely on effective field theory to remove its unphysical effects. Electromagnetic modifications to the hadron spectrum are reliably estimated with a precision and cost comparable to conventional approaches that utilize multiple larger volumes. A significant overall cost advantage emerges when accounting for ensemble generation. The proposed method may benefit lattice calculations involving multiple charged hadrons, as well as quantum many-body computations with long-range Coulomb interactions.

hep-lat↗