arXiv subjects

Axel Maas

Publications and source records attributed to Axel Maas.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2014

Two- and three-point functions in Landau gauge Yang-Mills-Higgs theory

Yang-Mills-Higgs theory offers a rich set of physics. In particular, in some region of its parameter space it has QCD-like behavior, while in some other range it is Higgs-like. Furthermore, for the choice of the gauge group SU(2) and an SU(2) Higgs flavor symmetry it is the Higgs sector of the standard model. Therefore, it is possible to study a plethora of phenomena within a single theory. Here the standard-model version is studied using lattice gauge theory. Choosing non-aligned minimal Landau gauge, its propagators and three-point vertices will be determined in both the QCD-like and Higgs-like domains. This permits to test various proposals for how confinement works, as well as how confinement and the Higgs effect differ. The correlations functions are found to exhibit a different behavior, depending on whether the lowest mass scalar flavor singlet is lighter than the vector triplet, heavier and stable, or unstable against decay into two vector triplets.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2013

Hadron masses and baryonic scales in $G_2$-QCD at finite density

The QCD phase diagram at densities relevant to neutron stars remains elusive, mainly due to the fermion-sign problem. At the same time, a plethora of possible phases has been predicted in models. Meanwhile $G_2$-QCD, for which the $SU(3)$ gauge group of QCD is replaced by the exceptional Lie group $G_2$, does not have a sign problem and can be simulated at such densities using standard lattice techniques. It thus provides benchmarks to models and functional continuum methods, and it serves to unravel the nature of possible phases of strongly interacting matter at high densities. Instrumental in understanding these phases is that $G_2$-QCD has fermionic baryons, and that it can therefore sustain a baryonic Fermi surface. Because the baryon spectrum of $G_2$-QCD also contains bosonic diquark and probably other more exotic states, it is important to understand this spectrum before one can disentangle the corresponding contributions to the baryon density. Here we present the first systematic study of this spectrum from lattice simulations at different quark masses. This allows us to relate the mass hierarchy, ranging from scalar would-be-Goldstone bosons and intermediate vector bosons to the $G_2$-nucleons and deltas, to individual structures observed in the total baryon density at finite chemical potential.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2013

$G_2$-QCD: Spectroscopy and the phase diagram at zero temperature and finite density

Due to the fermion sign problem, standard lattice Monte-Carlo method for QCD fail at small temperatures and high baryon densities. $G_2$-QCD, QCD with the gauge group $SU(3)$ replaced by the exceptional Lie group $G_2$, can be simulated using lattice techniques at these densities, and can therefore provide an illustration of the possible phase structure. Here we present a systematic investigation of the ground-state hadronic spectrum using lattice simulations for different quark masses in several hadronic sectors. We then show that the different hadronic scales of Goldstone bosons, intermediate bosons, and baryons is reflected in the phase structure at finite density.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2013

Correlation Functions and Confinement in Scalar QCD

The complete knowledge of a theory is encoded in its correlation functions. Thus non-perturbative effects, like confinement in QCD, is necessarily contained in these correlation functions. As a consequence, a number of confinement scenarios make predictions for the behavior of these correlation functions. Non-perturbative methods, like lattice calculations, permit to calculate the correlation functions and test these predictions. To avoid the entanglement with chiral symmetry breaking and the costs of full fermion simulations, here scalar QCD will be used as a role model, as it is expected that confinement operates in the same way. We present results on both two-point functions and three-point functions for the case of two colors and two flavors of scalars, and compare them to the predictions.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2013

Exploring Higgs Sector Spectroscopy

The Higgs sector of the standard model is field-theoretically a very interesting theory. Because strong and weak coupling domains are continuously connected, only quantitative changes distinguish the various regions. Especially, this is true for the asymptotic spectrum, which can only consist out of gauge-invariant composite, i. e. bound, states. Since in some regions of parameter space even Regge trajectories are expected to exist, there is immediately the possibility that resonances may also be present in the parameter region characteristic of the standard model Higgs sector. This possibility is discussed in some detail, starting from the definition of the theory to spectroscopy, including excited state analysis, to some considerations whether this could have experimental consequences. The strongest limitation for this exploration turns out to be that the gauge coupling without fermions runs much faster, and the gauge sector is therefore potentially affected.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2013

Analytic and numerical study of the free energy in gauge theory

We derive some exact bounds on the free energy W(J) in an SU(N) gauge theory, where J_mu^b is a source for the gluon field A_mu^b in the minimal Landau gauge, and W(J) is the generating functional of connected correlators, exp W(J) = . We also provide asymptotic expressions for the free energy W(J) at large J and for the quantum effective action Gamma(A) at large A. We specialize to a source J(x)=h cos(kx) of definite momentum k and source strength h, and study the gluon propagator D(k,h) in the presence of this source. Among other relations, we prove int_0^inf dh D(k,h)<=2^1/2 k, which implies lim_(k->0) D(k,h) = 0, for all positive h>0. Thus the system does not respond to a static color probe, no matter how strong. Recent lattice data in minimal Landau gauge in d =3 and 4 dimensions at h=0 indicate that the gluon propagator in the minimum Landau gauge is finite, lim_(k->0) D(k,0)>0. Thus these lattice data imply a jump in the value of D(k,h) at h=0 and k=0, and the value of D(k,h) at this point depends on the order of limits. We also present numerical evaluations of the free energy W(k,h) and the gluon propagator D(k,h) for the case of SU(2) Yang-Mills theory in various dimensions which support all of these findings.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2013

On the Landau-gauge adjoint quark propagator

Quarks in the adjoint representation have been a subject of study for both conceptual and practical purposes. Conceptually, their differences when it comes to confining and chiral symmetry properties has long been suspected to hold important information on the relation of these two distinguished properties of QCD-like gauge theories. Practically, they have been studied as both a possibility to access finite density quark systems as well as candidate theories for technicolor in beyond-the-standard-model settings. The most elementary object describing such particles is their propagator, though it being gauge-dependent. Its properties in the minimal Landau gauge are investigated here both in the quenched and unquenched case for a range of lattice parameters using the Wilson formulation for the gauge group SU(2). It is found that the propagator shows pronounced differences to the case of fundamental quarks, especially towards the chiral limit.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2013

Bounds on free energy in QCD

We derive some exact bounds on the free energy $W(J)$ in QCD, where $J_μ^b$ is a source for the gluon field $A_μ^b$ in the minimal Landau gauge, and $W(J)$ is the generating functional of connected gluon correlators. Among other results, we show that for a static source $J(x) = h$ the free energy vanishes, $W(h) = 0$, together with its first derivative, ${\partial W(h) \over \partial h} = 0,$ for all $h$, no matter how strong. Thus the system does not respond to a static color probe. We also present numerical evaluations of the free energy $W(J)$ and find that the bounds are well satisfied and in fact undersaturated.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2013

Local and global gauge-fixing

Gauge-fixing as a sampling procedure of gauge copies provides a possibility to construct well-defined gauges also beyond perturbation theory. The implementation of such sampling strategies in lattice gauge theory is briefly outlined, and examples are given for non-perturbative extensions of the Landau gauge. An appropriate choice of sampling can also introduce non-trivial global symmetries as a remainder of the gauge symmetry. Some examples for this are also given, highlighting their particular advantages.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

Gauge bosons at zero and finite temperature

Gauge theories of the Yang-Mills type are the single most important building block of the standard model and beyond. Since Yang-Mills theories are gauge theories their elementary particles, the gauge bosons, cannot be described without fixing a gauge. Beyond perturbation theory, gauge-fixing in non-Abelian gauge theories is obstructed by the Gribov-Singer ambiguity. The construction and implementation of a method-independent gauge-fixing prescription to resolve this ambiguity is the most important step to describe gauge bosons beyond perturbation theory. Proposals for such a procedure, generalizing the perturbative Landau gauge, are described here. Their implementation are discussed for two example methods, lattice gauge theory and the quantum equations of motion. The most direct access to the properties of the gauge bosons is provided by their correlation functions. The corresponding two- and three-point correlation functions are presented at all energy scales. These give access to the properties of the gauge bosons, like their absence from the asymptotic physical state space, the absence of an on-shell mass pole, particle-like properties at high energies, and their running couplings. Furthermore, auxiliary degrees of freedom are introduced during gauge-fixing, and their properties are discussed as well. These results are presented for two, three, and four dimensions, and for various gauge algebras. Finally, the modifications of the properties of gauge bosons at finite temperature are presented. Evidence is provided that these reflect the phase structure of Yang-Mills theory. However, it is found that the phase transition is not deconfining the gauge bosons, although the bulk thermodynamical behavior is of a Stefan-Boltzmann type. The resolution of this apparent contradiction is also presented. This resolution also provides an explicit and constructive solution to the Linde problem.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

Non-perturbative aspects in a weakly interacting Higgs sector

Just like the weakly interacting QED can support non-perturbative phenomena, like atoms, so can the weak and Higgs interactions. Especially, there are strong field-theoretical arguments that only bound states can be the (quasi-)asymptotic physical degrees of freedom of this sector. After a brief review of these arguments, the 2-point, 3-point and 4-point correlation functions of the Higgs-W system are determined using lattice gauge theory. The results support a conjectured duality between elementary states and bound states for weak Higgs self-interactions. This leads to relations between the bound states and the experimentally observed particles. Interestingly, these may yield pseudo-scalar admixtures at the Higgs energy, and possibly a faint standard-model signal in the channel where a Kaluza-Klein graviton would be expected.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2012

Bound-state/elementary-particle duality in the Higgs sector and the case for an excited 'Higgs' within the standard model

Though being weakly interacting, QED can support bound states. In principle, this can be expected for the weak interactions in the Higgs sector as well. In fact, it has been argued long ago that there should be a duality between bound states and the elementary particles in this sector, at least in leading order in an expansion in the Higgs condensate. Whether this remains true beyond the leading order is investigated using lattice simulations, and support is found. This provides a natural interpretation of peaks in cross sections as bound states. Unambiguously, this would imply the existence of (possibly very broad) resonances of Higgs and W and Z bound states within the standard model.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2012

Two- and three-point functions in two-dimensional Landau-gauge Yang-Mills theory: Continuum results

We investigate the Dyson-Schwinger equations for the gluon and ghost propagators and the ghost-gluon vertex of Landau-gauge gluodynamics in two dimensions. While this simplifies some aspects of the calculations as compared to three and four dimensions, new complications arise due to a mixing of different momentum regimes. As a result, the solutions for the propagators are more sensitive to changes in the three-point functions and the ansaetze used for them at the leading order in a vertex a expansion. Here, we therefore go beyond this common truncation by including the ghost-gluon vertex self-consistently for the first time, while using a model for the three-gluon vertex which reproduces the known infrared asymptotics and the zeros at intermediate momenta as observed on the lattice. A separate computation of the three-gluon vertex from the results is used to confirm the stability of this behavior a posteriori. We also present further arguments for the absence of the decoupling solution in two dimensions. Finally, we show how in general the infrared exponent kappa of the scaling solutions in two, three and four dimensions can be changed by allowing an angle dependence and thus an essential singularity of the ghost-gluon vertex in the infrared.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

The phase diagram of a gauge theory with fermionic baryons

The fermion-sign problem at finite density is a persisting challenge for Monte-Carlo simulations. Theories that do not have a sign problem can provide valuable guidance and insight for physically more relevant ones that do. Replacing the gauge group SU(3) of QCD by the exceptional group G2, for example, leads to such a theory. It has mesons as well as bosonic and fermionic baryons, and shares many features with QCD. This makes the G2 gauge theory ideally suited to study general properties of dense, strongly-interacting matter, including baryonic and nuclear Fermi pressure effects. Here we present the first-ever results from lattice simulations of G2 QCD with dynamical fermions, providing a first explorative look at the phase diagram of this QCD-like theory at finite temperature and baryon chemical potential.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2012

G2 gauge theories

QCD can be formulated using any gauge group. One particular interesting choice is to replace SU(3) by the exceptional group G2. Conceptually, this group is the simplest group with a trivial center. It thus permits to study the conjectured relevance of center degrees of freedom for QCD. Practically, since all its representation are real, it is possible to perform lattice simulations for this theory also at finite baryon densities. It is thus an excellent environment to test methods and to investigate general properties of gauge theories at finite densities. We review the status of our understanding of gauge theories with the gauge group G2, including Yang-Mills theory, Yang-Mills-Higgs theory, and QCD both in the vacuum and in the phase diagram.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2012

Topological aspects of G2 Yang-Mills theory

Yang-Mills theory and QCD are well-defined for any Lie group as gauge group. The choice G2 is of great interest, as it is the smallest group with trivial center and being at the same time accessible to simulations. This theory has been found to have many properties in common with SU(3) Yang-Mills theory and QCD, permitting to study the role of the center. Herein, these investigations are extended to topological properties of G2 Yang-Mills theory. After giving the instanton construction for G2, topological lumps with instanton topological charge are identified in cooled lattice configurations. The corresponding topological susceptibility is determined in the vacuum and at low and high temperatures, showing a significant response to the phase structure of the theory.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2012

No coincidence of center percolation and deconfinement in SU(4) lattice gauge theory

We study the behavior of center sectors in pure SU(4) lattice gauge theory at finite temperature. The center sectors are defined as spatial clusters of neighboring sites with values of their local Polyakov loops near the same center elements. We study the connectedness and percolation properties of the center clusters across the deconfinement transition. We show that for SU(4) gauge theory deconfinement cannot be described as a percolation transition of center clusters, a finding which is different from pure SU(2) or pure SU(3) Yang Mills theory, where the percolation description even allows for a continuum limit.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2012

(Non-)Aligned gauges and global gauge symmetry breaking

The concept of (global) gauge symmetry breaking plays an important role in many areas of physics. Since the corresponding symmetry is a gauge symmetry, its breaking is actually gauge-dependent. Thus, it is possible to design gauges which restore the symmetry as good as possible. Such gauge constructions will be detailed here, illustrated with the use of lattice gauge theory. Their use will be discussed for the cases of the Higgs effect, high-baryon density color superconductors, and BRST symmetry.

hep-th↗