arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to E. Vicari.
We calculate the third coefficient of the lattice beta function in QCD with Wilson fermions, extending the pure gauge results of Luescher and Weisz; we show how this coefficient modifies the scaling function on the lattice. We also calculate the three-loop average plaquette in the presence of Wilson fermions. This allows us to compute the lattice scaling function both in the standard and energy schemes.
In three-dimensional O(N) models, we investigate the low-momentum behavior of the two-point Green's function G(x) in the critical region of the symmetric phase. We consider physical systems whose criticality is characterized by a rotational-invariant fixed point. Several approaches are exploited, such as strong-coupling expansion of lattice non-linear O(N) sigma models, 1/N-expansion, field-theoretical methods within the phi^4 continuum formulation. In non-rotational invariant physical systems with O(N)-invariant interactions, the vanishing of space-anisotropy approaching the rotational-invariant fixed point is described by a critical exponent rho, which is universal and is related to the leading irrelevant operator breaking rotational invariance. At N=\infty one finds rho=2. We show that, for all values of $N\geq 0$, $ρ\simeq 2$. Non-Gaussian corrections to the universal low-momentum behavior of G(x) are evaluated, and found to be very small.
We investigate the relation between on-shell and zero-momentum non-perturbative quantities entering the parametrization of the two-point Green's function of two-dimensional non-linear O(N) sigma models. We present accurate estimates of ratios of mass-scales and renormalization constants, obtained by an analysis of the strong-coupling expansion of the two-point Green's function. These ratios allow to connect exact known on-shell results with typical zero-momentum lattice evaluations. Our results are supported by the 1/N-expansion.
We investigate the performance of the hybrid Monte Carlo algorithm, the standard algorithm used for lattice QCD simulations involving fermions, in updating non-trivial global topological structures. We find that the hybrid Monte Carlo algorithm has serious problems decorrelating the global topological charge at the values of $β$ and $m$ currently simulated, where continuum physics should be approximately realized. This represents a warning which must be seriously considered when simulating full QCD by hybrid Monte Carlo.
We investigate the performance of the hybrid Monte Carlo algorithm in updating non-trivial global topological structures. We find that the hybrid Monte Carlo algorithm has serious problems decorrelating the global topological charge. This represents a warning which must be seriously considered when simulating full QCD, regardless of the number and type of fermions, with this or any similar algorithm. Simulated tempering is examined as a means of accelerating the decorrelation.
Using the background field technique, we calculate the 3-loop beta function of lattice $SU(N)$ gauge theories. In the pure gluonic case, we present our results, comparing to those recently obtained by Luescher and Weisz. We also provide a progress report in the case of QCD with Wilson fermions.
We analyze the properties of a class of improved lattice topological charge density operators, constructed by a smearing-like procedure. By optimizing the choice of the parameters introduced in their definition, we find operators having (i) a better statistical behavior as estimators of the topological charge density on the lattice, i.e. less noisy; (ii) a multiplicative renormalization much closer to one; (iii) a large suppression of the perturbative tail (and other unphysical mixings) in the corresponding lattice topological susceptibility.
We analyze the properties of a class of improved lattice topological charge density operators, constructed by a smearing-like procedure. By optimizing the choice of the parameters introduced in their definition, we find operators having (i) a much better statistical behavior as estimators of the topological charge density on the lattice, i.e. much less noisy; (ii) a multiplicative renormalization much closer to one; (iii) a large suppression of the perturbative tail in the corresponding lattice topological susceptibility.
The renormalized zero-momentum four-point coupling $g_r$ of $O(N)$-invariant scalar field theories in $d$ dimensions is studied by applying the $1/N$ expansion and strong coupling analysis. The $O(1/N)$ correction to the $β$-function and to the fixed point value $g_r^*$ are explictly computed. Strong coupling series for lattice non-linear $σ$ models are analyzed near criticality in $d=2$ and $d=3$ for several values of $N$ and the corresponding values of $g_r^*$ are extracted. Large-$N$ and strong coupling results are compared with each other, finding a good general agreement. For small $N$ the strong coupling analysis in 2-d gives the best determination of $g^*_r$ to date (or comparable for $N=2,3$ with the available Monte Carlo estimates), and in 3-d it is consistent with available $ϕ^4$ field theory results.
The large-N saddle-point equations for the principal chiral models defined on a d-1 dimensional simplex are derived from the external field problem for unitary integrals. The saddle point equation are studied analytically and numerically in many relevant instances, including d=4 and $d\rightarrow\infty$, with special attention to the critical domain, which is found to correspond to $β_c=1/d$ for all d. Related models (chiral chains) are discussed and large-N solutions are analyzed.
The renormalized zero-momentum four-point coupling $g_r$ of O(N)-invariant scalar field theories in $d$ dimensions is studied by applying the 1/N expansion and strong coupling analysis. The O(1/N) correction to the $β$-function and to the fixed point value $g_r^*$ are explictly computed. Strong coupling series for lattice non-linear sigma models are analyzed near criticality in d=2 and d=3 for several values of $N$ and the corresponding values of $g_r^*$ are extracted. Large-N and strong coupling results are compared with each other, finding a good general agreement. For small N the strong coupling analysis in 2-d gives the best determination of $g^*_r$ to date (or comparable for N=2,3 with the available Monte Carlo estimates), and in 3-d it is consistent with available $ϕ^4$ field theory results.
We study the renormalization group behaviour of the topological charge density in full QCD on the lattice. We propose a way of extracting the necessary renormalization functions from Monte Carlo simulations.
Two dimensional large-N chiral models on the square and honeycomb lattices are investigated by a strong coupling analysis. Strong coupling expansion turns out to be predictive for the evaluation of continuum physical quantities, to the point of showing asymptotic scaling. Indeed in the strong coupling region a quite large range of beta values exists where the fundamental mass agrees, within about 5% on the square lattice and about 10% on the honeycomb lattice, with the continuum predictions in the %%energy scheme.
We investigate the large-N critical behavior of 2-d lattice chiral models by Monte Carlo simulations of U(N) and SU(N) groups at large N. Numerical results confirm strong coupling analyses, i.e. the existence of a large-N second order phase transition at a finite $β_c$.
Two dimensional $N=\infty$ lattice chiral models are investigate by a strong coupling analysis. Strong coupling expansion turns out to be predictive for the evaluation of continuum physical quantities, to the point of showing asymptotic scaling (within 5\%).
A general precedure is outlined for an algorithmic implementation of the strong coupling expansion of lattice chiral models on arbitrary lattices. A symbolic character expansion in terms of connected values of group integrals on skeleton diagrams may be obtained by a fully computerized approach.
An explicit solution is found for the most general independent correlation functions in lattice QCD$_2$ with Wilson action. The large-$N$ limit of these correlations may be used to reconstruct the eigenvalue distributions of Wilson loop operators for arbitrary loops. Properties of these spectral densities are discussed in the region $β<β_c={1\over 2}$.
We present preliminary results on the proton spin structure function at zero momentum, in the quenched approximation. Our calculation makes use of a nonperturbative means of determining the multiplicative renormalization of the topological charge density.