arXiv subjects

Felix Karbstein

Publications and source records attributed to Felix Karbstein.

70 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2014

$Λ_{\bar{\textrm{MS}}}^{(n_f=2)}$ from a momentum space analysis of the quark-antiquark static potential

We determine $Λ_{\bar{\textrm{MS}}}^{(n_f=2)}$ by fitting perturbative expressions for the quark-antiquark static potential to lattice results for QCD with $n_f=2$ dynamical quark flavors. To this end we use the perturbative static potential at the presently best known accuracy, i.e. up to ${\cal O}(α_s^4)$, in momentum space. The lattice potential is computed on a fine lattice with $a \approx 0.042 \, \textrm{fm}$ in position space. To allow for a comparison and matching of both results, the lattice potential is transformed into momentum space by means of a discrete Fourier transform. The value of $Λ_{\bar{\textrm{MS}}}^{(n_f=2)}$ is extracted in momentum space. All sources of statistical and systematic errors are discussed. The uncertainty in the value of $Λ_{\bar{\textrm{MS}}}^{(n_f=2)}$ is found to be smaller than that obtained in a recent position space analysis of the static potential based on the same lattice data.

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arXiv2014

The photon polarization tensor in a homogeneous magnetic or electric field

We revisit the photon polarization tensor in a homogeneous external magnetic or electric field. The starting point of our considerations is the momentum space representation of the one-loop photon polarization tensor in the presence of a homogeneous electromagnetic field, known in terms of a double parameter integral. Our focus is on explicit analytical insights for both on- and off-the-light-cone dynamics in a wide range of well-specified physical parameter regimes, ranging from the perturbative to the manifestly nonperturbative strong field regime. The basic ideas underlying well-established approximations to the photon polarization tensor are carefully examined and critically reviewed. In particular, we systematically keep track of all contributions, both the ones to be neglected and those to be taken into account explicitly, to all orders. This allows us to study their ranges of applicability in a much more systematic and rigorous way. We point out the limitations of such approximations and manage to go beyond at several instances.

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arXiv2014

Laser photon merging in an electromagnetic field inhomogeneity

We study the effect of laser photon merging, or equivalently high harmonic generation, in the quantum vacuum subject to inhomogeneous electromagnetic fields. Such a process is facilitated by the effective nonlinear couplings arising from charged particle-antiparticle fluctuations in the quantum vacuum subject to strong electromagnetic fields. We derive explicit results for general kinematic and polarization configurations involving optical photons. Concentrating on merged photons in reflected channels which are preferable in experiments for reasons of noise suppression, we demonstrate that photon merging is typically dominated by the competing nonlinear process of quantum reflection, though appropriate polarization and signal filtering could specifically search for the merging process. As a byproduct, we devise a novel systematic expansion of the photon polarization tensor in plane wave fields.

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arXiv2014

Quark-antiquark static energy from a restricted Fourier transform

We provide a fully analytical determination of the perturbative quark-antiquark static energy in position space as defined by a restricted Fourier transformation from momentum to position space. Such a determination is complicated by the fact that the static energy genuinely decomposes into a strictly perturbative part (made up of contributions $\simα_s^n$, with $n\in\mathbb{N}$) which is conventionally evaluated in momentum space, and a so-called ultrasoft part (including terms $\simα_s^{n+m}\ln^mα_s$, with $n\geq3$ and $m\in\mathbb{N}$) which, conversely, is naturally evaluated in position space. Our approach facilitates the explicit determination of the static energy in position space at the accuracy with which the perturbative potential in momentum space is known, i.e., presently up to order $α_s^4$.

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arXiv2013

Quantum Reflection as a New Signature of Quantum Vacuum Nonlinearity

We show that photons subject to a spatially inhomogeneous electromagnetic field can experience quantum reflection. Based on this observation, we propose quantum reflection as a novel means to probe the nonlinearity of the quantum vacuum in the presence of strong electromagnetic fields.

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arXiv2013

Symmetries of the Three Heavy-Quark System and the Color-Singlet Static Energy at NNLL

We study the symmetries of the three heavy-quark system under exchange of the quark fields within the effective field theory framework of potential non-relativistic QCD. The symmetries constrain the form of the matching coefficients in the effective theory. We then focus on the color-singlet sector and determine the so far unknown leading ultrasoft contribution to the static potential, which is of order alpha_s^4 ln(μ), and consequently to the static energy, which is of order alpha_s^4 ln(alpha_s). Finally, in the case of an equilateral geometry, we solve the renormalization group equations and resum the leading ultrasoft logarithms for the static potential of three quarks in a color singlet, octet and decuplet representation.

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arXiv2013

Magnetically amplified light-shining-through-walls via virtual minicharged particles

We show that magnetic fields have the potential to significantly enhance a recently proposed light-shining-through-walls scenario in quantum-field theories with photons coupling to minicharged particles. Suggesting a dedicated laboratory experiment, we demonstrate that this particular tunneling scenario could provide access to a parameter regime competitive with the currently best direct laboratory limits on minicharged fermions below the $\mathrm{meV}$ regime. With present day technology, such an experiment has the potential to even overcome the best model-independent cosmological bounds on minicharged fermions with masses below $\mathcal{O} (10^{-4}) \mathrm{eV}$.

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arXiv2013

The Symmetries of the Three Heavy Quark Bound State and the Singlet Static Energy

Potential non-relativistic QCD provides a convenient framework to study the three heavy-quark system. We have studied its symmetries under exchange of the heavy quarks and determined the leading ultrasoft contributions to the singlet static potential and to the singlet static energy. Specializing to an equilateral geometry, we have solved the renormalization group equations in order to resum the leading ultrasoft logarithms for the singlet static potential, which is thus known at NNLL accuracy.

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arXiv2012

Magnetically amplified tunneling of the 3rd kind as a probe of minicharged particles

We show that magnetic fields significantly enhance a new tunneling mechanism in quantum-field theories with photons coupling to fermionic minicharged particles. We propose a dedicated laboratory experiment of the light-shining-through-walls type that can explore a parameter regime comparable to and even beyond the best model-independent cosmological bounds. With present-day technology, such an experiment is particularly sensitive to minicharged particles with masses in and below the meV regime.

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arXiv2012

Optical probes of the quantum vacuum: The photon polarization tensor in external fields

The photon polarization tensor is the central building block of an effective theory description of photon propagation in the quantum vacuum. It accounts for the vacuum fluctuations of the underlying theory, and in the presence of external electromagnetic fields, gives rise to such striking phenomena as vacuum birefringence and dichroism. Standard approximations of the polarization tensor are often restricted to on-the-light-cone dynamics in homogeneous electromagnetic fields, and are limited to certain momentum regimes only. We devise two different strategies to go beyond these limitations: First, we aim at obtaining novel analytical insights into the photon polarization tensor for homogeneous fields, while retaining its full momentum dependence. Second, we employ wordline numerical methods to surpass the constant-field limit.

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arXiv2011

Lambda_msbar from the static potential for QCD with n_f=2 dynamical quark flavors

We determine Lambda_msbar for QCD with n_f=2 dynamical quark flavors by fitting the Q-Q-bar static potential known analytically in the perturbative regime up to terms of O(alpha_s^4) and ~alpha_s^4 ln(alpha_s) to corresponding results obtained from lattice simulations. This has become possible, due to recent advances in both perturbative calculations, namely the determination and publication of the last missing contribution to the Q-Q-bar static potential at O(alpha_s^4), and lattice simulations with n_f=2 dynamical quark flavors performed at the rather fine lattice spacing of a~0.042 fm. Imposing conservative error estimates we obtain Lambda_msbar=315(30) MeV.

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arXiv2010

Integrating out the Dirac sea in the Walecka model

We derive a purely fermionic no-sea effective theory, featuring positive-energy states only for the Walecka model. In contrast to the so-called mean-field theory approach with the no-sea approximation, where the Dirac sea is simply omitted from the outset, we turn to the relativistic Hartree approximation and explicitly construct a no-sea effective theory from the underlying quantum field theory. Several results obtained within these two approaches are confronted with each other. This sheds new light on the reliability of the mean-field theory with the no-sea approximation as well as the role of the Dirac sea. Restricting to 1+1 dimensions, we obtain new analytical insights into nonuniform nuclear matter.

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arXiv2008

Baryons in the large N limit of the massive two-dimensional Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model

Baryons in the massive Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model in 1+1 dimensions (the massive chiral Gross-Neveu model) are studied in the limit of an infinite number of flavors. The baryon mass is evaluated for a wide range of bare fermion masses and filling fractions, combining analytical asymptotic expansions with a full numerical Hartree-Fock calculation.

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arXiv2007

Integrating out the Dirac sea: Effective field theory approach to exactly solvable four-fermion models

We use 1+1 dimensional large N Gross-Neveu models as a laboratory to derive microscopically effective Lagrangians for positive energy fermions only. When applied to baryons, the Euler-Lagrange equation for these effective theories assumes the form of a non-linear Dirac equation. Its solution reproduces the full semi-classical results including the Dirac sea to any desired accuracy. Dynamical effects from the Dirac sea are encoded in higher order derivative terms and multi-fermion interactions with perturbatively calculable, finite coefficients. Characteristic differences between models with discrete and continuous chiral symmetry are observed and clarified.

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arXiv2007

Divergence of the axial current and fermion density in Gross-Neveu models

The divergence of the axial current is used to relate the spatial derivative of the fermion density to the bare fermion mass and scalar/pseudoscalar condensates in 1+1 dimensional Gross-Neveu models. This serves as a novel test of known results, to explain simple features of the continuous chiral model and to resolve a conflict concerning the assignment of baryon number to certain multi-fermion bound states.

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arXiv2006

How to get from imaginary to real chemical potential

Using the exactly solvable Gross-Neveu model as theoretical laboratory, we analyse in detail the relationship between a relativistic quantum field theory at real and imaginary chemical potential. We find that one can retrieve the full information about the phase diagram of the theory from an imaginary chemical potential calculation. The prerequisite is to evaluate and analytically continue the effective potential for the chiral order parameter, rather than thermodynamic observables or phase boundaries. In the case of an inhomogeneous phase, one needs to compute the full effective action, a functional of the space-dependent order parameter, at imaginary chemical potential.

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