arXiv subjects

Daniel F. Litim

Publications and source records attributed to Daniel F. Litim.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Asymptotic safety of quantum gravity beyond Ricci scalars

We investigate the asymptotic safety conjecture for quantum gravity including curvature invariants beyond Ricci scalars. Our strategy is put to work for families of gravitational actions which depend on functions of the Ricci scalar, the Ricci tensor, and products thereof. Combining functional renormalisation with high order polynomial approximations and full numerical integration we derive the renormalisation group flow for all couplings and analyse their fixed points, scaling exponents, and the fixed point effective action as a function of the background Ricci curvature. The theory is characterised by three relevant couplings. Higher-dimensional couplings show near-Gaussian scaling with increasing canonical mass dimension. We find that Ricci tensor invariants stabilise the UV fixed point and lead to a rapid convergence of polynomial approximations. We apply our results to models for cosmology and establish that the gravitational fixed point admits inflationary solutions. We also compare findings with those from $f(R)$-type theories in the same approximation and pin-point the key new effects due to Ricci tensor interactions. Implications for the asymptotic safety conjecture of gravity are indicated.

hep-th↗

arXiv2018

UV conformal window for asymptotic safety

Interacting fixed points in four-dimensional gauge theories coupled to matter are investigated using perturbation theory up to three loop order. It is shown how fixed points, scaling exponents, and anomalous dimensions are obtained as a systematic power series in a small parameter. The underlying ordering principle is explained and contrasted with conventional perturbation theory and Weyl consistency conditions. We then determine the conformal window with asymptotic safety from the complete next-to-next-to-leading order in perturbation theory. Limits for the conformal window arise due to fixed point mergers, the onset of strong coupling, or vacuum instability. A consistent picture is uncovered by comparing various levels of approximation. The theory remains perturbative in the entire conformal window, with vacuum stability dictating the tightest constraints. We also speculate about a secondary conformal window at strong coupling and estimate its lower limit. Implications for model building and cosmology are indicated.

hep-th↗

arXiv2018

Asymptotic safety guaranteed in supersymmetry

We explain how asymptotic safety arises in four-dimensional supersymmetric gauge theories. We provide asymptotically safe supersymmetric gauge theories together with their superconformal fixed points, R-charges, phase diagrams, and UV-IR connecting trajectories. Strict perturbative control is achieved in a Veneziano limit. Consistency with unitarity and the a-theorem is established. We find that supersymmetry enhances the predictivity of asymptotically safe theories.

hep-th↗

arXiv2017

Directions for model building from asymptotic safety

Building on recent advances in the understanding of gauge-Yukawa theories we explore possibilities to UV-complete the Standard Model in an asymptotically safe manner. Minimal extensions are based on a large flavor sector of additional fermions coupled to a scalar singlet matrix field. We find that asymptotic safety requires fermions in higher representations of $SU(3)_C\times SU(2)_L$. Possible signatures at colliders are worked out and include $R$-hadron searches, diboson signatures and the evolution of the strong and weak coupling constants.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2017

Global Wilson-Fisher fixed points

The Wilson-Fisher fixed point with $O(N)$ universality in three dimensions is studied using the renormalisation group. It is shown how a combination of analytical and numerical techniques determine global fixed point solutions to leading order in the derivative expansion for real or purely imaginary fields with moderate numerical effort. Universal and non-universal quantitites such as scaling exponents and mass ratios are computed, for all $N$, together with local fixed point coordinates, radii of convergence, and parameters which control the asymptotic behaviour of the effective action. We also explain when and why finite-$N$ results do not converge pointwise towards the exact infinite-$N$ limit. In the regime of purely imaginary fields, a new link between singularities of fixed point effective actions and singularities of their counterparts by Polchinski are established. Implications for other theories are indicated.

hep-th↗

arXiv2017

Theorems for Asymptotic Safety of Gauge Theories

We classify the weakly interacting fixed points of general gauge theories coupled to matter and explain how the competition between gauge and matter fluctuations gives rise to a rich spectrum of high- and low-energy fixed points. The pivotal role played by Yukawa couplings is emphasized. Necessary and sufficient conditions for asymptotic safety of gauge theories are also derived, in conjunction with strict no go theorems. Implications for phase diagrams of gauge theories and physics beyond the Standard Model are indicated.

hep-th↗

arXiv2017

Critical $O(N)$ models in the complex field plane

Local and global scaling solutions for $O(N)$ symmetric scalar field theories are studied in the complexified field plane with the help of the renormalisation group. Using expansions of the effective action about small, large, and purely imaginary fields, we obtain and solve exact recursion relations for all couplings and determine the $3d$ Wilson-Fisher fixed point analytically. For all $O(N)$ universality classes, we further establish that Wilson-Fisher fixed point solutions display singularities in the complex field plane, which dictate the radius of convergence for real-field expansions of the effective action. At infinite $N$, we find closed expressions for the convergence-limiting singularities and prove that local expansions of the effective action are powerful enough to uniquely determine the global Wilson-Fisher fixed point for any value of the fields. Implications of our findings for interacting fixed points in more complicated theories are indicated.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

Further evidence for asymptotic safety of quantum gravity

The asymptotic safety conjecture is examined for quantum gravity in four dimensions. Using the renormalisation group, we find evidence for an interacting UV fixed point for polynomial actions up to the 34th power in the Ricci scalar. The extrapolation to infinite polynomial order is given, and the self-consistency of the fixed point is established using a bootstrap test. All details of our analysis are provided. We also clarify further aspects such as stability, convergence, the role of boundary conditions, and a partial degeneracy of eigenvalues. Within this setting we find strong support for the conjecture.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

Vacuum stability of asymptotically safe gauge-Yukawa theories

We study the phase diagram and the stability of the ground state for certain four-dimensional gauge-Yukawa theories whose high-energy behaviour is controlled by an interacting fixed point. We also provide analytical and numerical results for running couplings, their crossover scales, the separatrix, and the Coleman-Weinberg effective potential. Classical and quantum stability of the vacuum is established.

hep-th↗

arXiv2014

Asymptotic safety guaranteed

We study the ultraviolet behaviour of four-dimensional quantum field theories involving non-abelian gauge fields, fermions and scalars in the Veneziano limit. In a regime where asymptotic freedom is lost, we explain how the three types of fields cooperate to develop fully interacting ultraviolet fixed points, strictly controlled by perturbation theory. Extensions towards strong coupling and beyond the large-N limit are discussed.

hep-th↗

arXiv2014

Black hole thermodynamics under the microscope

A coarse-grained version of the effective action is used to study the thermodynamics of black holes, interpolating from largest to smallest masses. The physical parameter of the black hole are linked to the running couplings by thermodynamics, and the corresponding equation of state includes quantum corrections for temperature, specific heat, and entropy. If quantum gravity becomes asymptotically safe, the state function predicts conformal scaling in the limit of small horizon area, and bounds on black hole mass and temperature. A metric-based derivation for the equation of state, and quantum corrections to the thermodynamical, statistical, and phenomenological definition of entropy are also given. Further implications and limitations of our study are discussed.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2013

Quantum gravity effects in Myers-Perry space-times

We study quantum gravity effects for Myers-Perry black holes assuming that the leading contributions arise from the renormalization group evolution of Newton's coupling. Provided that gravity weakens following the asymptotic safety conjecture, we find that quantum effects lift a degeneracy of higher-dimensional black holes, and dominate over kinematical ones induced by rotation, particularly for small black hole mass, large angular momentum, and higher space-time dimensionality. Quantum-corrected space-times display inner and outer horizons, and show the existence of a black hole of smallest mass in any dimension. Ultra-spinning solutions no longer persist. Thermodynamic properties including temperature, specific heat, the Komar integrals, and aspects of black hole mechanics are studied as well. Observing a softening of the ring singularity, we also discuss the validity of classical energy conditions.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

Fixed points and infrared completion of quantum gravity

The phase diagram of four-dimensional Einstein-Hilbert gravity is studied using Wilson's renormalization group. Smooth trajectories connecting the ultraviolet fixed point at short distances with attractive infrared fixed points at long distances are derived from the non-perturbative graviton propagator. Implications for the asymptotic safety conjecture and further results are discussed.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

Phases of supersymmetric O(N) theories

We perform a global renormalization group study of O(N) symmetric Wess-Zumino theories and their phases in three euclidean dimensions. At infinite N the theory is solved exactly. The phases and phase transitions are worked out for finite and infinite short-distance cutoffs. A distinctive new feature arises at strong coupling, where the effective superfield potential becomes multi-valued, signalled by divergences in the fermion-boson interaction. Our findings resolve the long-standing puzzle about the occurrence of degenerate O(N) symmetric phases. At finite N, we find a strongly-coupled fixed point in the local potential approximation and explain its impact on the phase transition. We also examine the possibility for a supersymmetric Bardeen-Moshe-Bander phenomenon, and relate our findings with the spontaneous breaking of supersymmetry in other models.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

Asymptotic freedom of Yang-Mills theory with gravity

We study the behaviour of Yang-Mills theory under the inclusion of gravity. In the weak- gravity limit, the running gauge coupling receives no contribution from the gravitational sector, if all symmetries are preserved. This holds true with and without cosmological constant. We also show that asymptotic freedom persists in general field-theory-based gravity scenarios including gravitational shielding as well as asymptotically safe gravity.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

Black holes and asymptotically safe gravity

Quantum gravitational corrections to black holes are studied in four and higher dimensions using a renormalisation group improvement of the metric. The quantum effects are worked out in detail for asymptotically safe gravity, where the short distance physics is characterized by a non-trivial fixed point of the gravitational coupling. We find that a weakening of gravity implies a decrease of the event horizon, and the existence of a Planck-size black hole remnant with vanishing temperature and vanishing heat capacity. The absence of curvature singularities is generic and discussed together with the conformal structure and the Penrose diagram of asymptotically safe black holes. The production cross section of mini-black holes in energetic particle collisions, such as those at the Large Hadron Collider, is analysed within low-scale quantum gravity models. Quantum gravity corrections imply that cross sections display a threshold, are suppressed in the Planckian, and reproduce the semi-classical result in the deep trans-Planckian region. Further implications are discussed.

hep-th↗

arXiv2011

Critical behavior of supersymmetric O(N) models in the large-N limit

We derive a supersymmetric renormalization group (RG) equation for the scale-dependent superpotential of the supersymmetric O(N) model in three dimensions. For a supersymmetric optimized regulator function we solve the RG equation for the superpotential exactly in the large-N limit. The fixed-point solutions are classified by an exactly marginal coupling. In the weakly coupled regime there exists a unique fixed point solution, for intermediate couplings we find two separate fixed point solutions and in the strong coupling regime no globally defined fixed-point potentials exist. We determine the exact critical exponents both for the superpotential and the associated scalar potential. Finally we relate the high-temperature limit of the four-dimensional theory to the Wilson-Fisher fixed point of the purely scalar theory.

hep-th↗

arXiv2011

Renormalisation group and the Planck scale

I discuss the renormalisation group approach to gravity, its link to Steven Weinberg's asymptotic safety scenario, and give an overview of results with applications to particle physics and cosmology.

hep-th↗