arXiv subjects

Benjamin Knorr

Publications and source records attributed to Benjamin Knorr.

42 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

Solving functional flow equations with pseudo-spectral methods

We apply pseudo-spectral methods to integrate functional flow equations with high accuracy, extending earlier work on functional fixed point equations \cite{Borchardt:2015rxa}. The advantages of our method are illustrated with the help of two classes of models: first, to make contact with literature, we investigate flows of the O$(N)$-model in 3 dimensions, for $N=1, 4$ and in the large $N$ limit. For the case of a fractal dimension, $d=2.4$, and $N=1$, we follow the flow along a separatrix from a multicritical fixed point to the Wilson-Fisher fixed point over almost 13 orders of magnitude. As a second example, we consider flows of bounded quantum-mechanical potentials, which can be considered as a toy model for Higgs inflation. Such flows pose substantial numerical difficulties, and represent a perfect test bed to exemplify the power of pseudo-spectral methods.

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arXiv2016

The Gravitational Two-Loop Counterterm is Asymptotically Safe

Weinberg's asymptotic safety scenario provides an elegant mechanism to construct a quantum theory of gravity within the framework of quantum field theory based on a non-Gaußian fixed point of the renormalization group flow. In this work we report novel evidence for the validity of this scenario, using functional renormalization group techniques to determine the renormalization group flow of the Einstein-Hilbert action supplemented by the two-loop counterterm found by Goroff and Sagnotti. The resulting system of beta functions comprises three scale-dependent coupling constants and exhibits a non-Gaußian fixed point which constitutes the natural extension of the one found at the level of the Einstein-Hilbert action. The fixed point exhibits two ultraviolet attractive and one repulsive direction supporting a low-dimensional UV-critical hypersurface. Our result vanquishes the longstanding criticism that asymptotic safety will not survive once a "proper perturbative counterterm" is included in the projection space.

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arXiv2015

Global solutions of functional fixed point equations via pseudo-spectral methods

We apply pseudo-spectral methods to construct global solutions of functional renormalisation group equations in field space to high accuracy. For this, we introduce a basis to resolve both finite as well as asymptotic regions of effective potentials. Our approach is benchmarked using the critical behaviour of the scalar $O(1)$ model, providing results for the global fixed point potential as well as leading critical exponents and their respective global eigenfunctions. We provide new results for (1) multi-critical $O(1)$ models in fractional dimensions, (2) the three-dimensional Gross-Neveu model at both small and large $N$, and (3) the scalar-tensor model, also in three dimensions.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

Generalized Parametrization Dependence in Quantum Gravity

We critically examine the gauge, and field-parametrization dependence of renormalization group flows in the vicinity of non-Gaußian fixed points in quantum gravity. While physical observables are independent of such calculational specifications, the construction of quantum gravity field theories typically relies on off-shell quantities such as $β$ functions and generating functionals and thus face potential stability issues with regard to such generalized parametrizations. We analyze a two-parameter class of covariant gauge conditions, the role of momentum-dependent field rescalings and a class of field parametrizations. Using the product of Newton and cosmological constant as an indicator, the principle of minimum sensitivity identifies stationary points in this parametrization space which show a remarkable insensitivity to the parametrization. In the most insensitive cases, the quantized gravity system exhibits a non-Gaußian UV stable fixed point, lending further support to asymptotically free quantum gravity. One of the stationary points facilitates an analytical determination of the quantum gravity phase diagram and features ultraviolet and infrared complete RG trajectories with a classical regime.

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arXiv2014

Convergence of Derivative Expansion in Supersymmetric Functional RG Flows

We confirm the convergence of the derivative expansion in two supersymmetric models via the functional renormalization group method. Using pseudo-spectral methods, high-accuracy results for the lowest energies in supersymmetric quantum mechanics and a detailed description of the supersymmetric analogue of the Wilson-Fisher fixed point of the three-dimensional Wess-Zumino model are obtained. The superscaling relation proposed earlier, relating the relevant critical exponent to the anomalous dimension, is shown to be valid to all orders in the supercovariant derivative expansion and for all $d \ge 2$.

hep-th↗

arXiv2014

Global Flows in Quantum Gravity

We study four-dimensional quantum gravity using non-perturbative renormalization group methods. We solve the corresponding equations for the fully momentum-dependent propagator, Newton's coupling and the cosmological constant. For the first time, we obtain a global phase diagram where the non-Gaussian ultraviolet fixed point of asymptotic safety is connected via smooth trajectories to a classical infrared fixed point. The theory is therefore ultraviolet complete and deforms smoothly into classical gravity as the infrared limit is approached.

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