Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

G. P. Vacca

Publications and source records attributed to G. P. Vacca.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2020

On Exact Proper Time Wilsonian RG Flows

We discuss the possibility to define exact RG equations for a UV regulated Wilsonian action based on a proper time (PT) regulator function. We start from a functional mapping which shows how each particular flow equation (and RG scheme) is associated to infinitely many scale dependent field redefinitions, which are related to specific coarse-graining procedures. On specializing to a sub-family of one parameter PT regulators we briefly analyze few results for the Ising Universality class in three dimensions, obtained within a second order truncation in the derivative expansion of the Wilsonian action.

hep-th↗
arXiv2020

The odderon and BKP states in the Quantum Chromodynamics

We discuss the odderon in the QCD and analyze the effects of running coupling introduced in a particular way to preserve the reggeization of the gluon within the leading logarithmic description. This idea is also applied to a family of BKP states with arbitrarily number of gluons in the planar limit. The numerical analysis shows that contrary to the pomeron case where the leading states become discretized, the odderon states still remain a continuous family starting at intercept one. The following rapidity dependence of the amplitude is studied. For the pomeron-odderon system the relation between the descriptions in the reggeized gluon (BFKL) framework and the color dipole/CGC one is investigated.

hep-th↗
arXiv2019

Multi-critical multi-field models: a CFT approach to the leading order

We present some general results for the multi-critical multi-field models in d>2 recently obtained using CFT and Schwinger-Dyson methods at perturbative level without assuming any symmetry. Results in the leading non trivial order are derived consistently for several conformal data in full agreement with functional perturbative RG methods. Mechanisms like emergent (possibly approximate) symmetries can be naturally investigated in this framework.

hep-th↗
arXiv2018

A functional RG approach for the BFKL Pomeron

In this paper we encode the perturbative BFKL leading logarithmic resummation, relevant for the Regge limit behavior of QCD scattering amplitudes, in the IR-regulated effective action which satisfies exact functional renormalization group equations. This is obtained using a truncation with a specific infinite set of non local vertices describing the multi-Regge kinematics (MRK). The goal is to use this framework to study, in the high energy limit and at larger transverse distances the transition to a much simpler effective local reggeon field theory, whose critical properties were recently investigated in the same framework. We perform a numerical analysis of the spectrum of the BFKL Pomeron deformed by the introduction of a Wilsonian infrared regulator to understand the properties of the leading poles (states) contributing to the high energy scattering.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2016

Pomeron - Odderon interactions in a reggeon field theory

In this paper we extend our recent non perturbative functional renormalization group analysis of Reggeon Field Theory to the interactions of Pomeron and Odderon fields. We establish the existence of a fixed point and its universal properties, which exhibits a novel symmetry structure in the space of Odderon-Pomeron interactions. As in our previous analysis, this part of our program aims at the investigation of the IR limit of reggeon field theory (the limit of high energies and large transverse distances). It should be seen in the broader context of trying to connect the nonperturbative infrared region (large transverse distances) with the UV region of small transverse distances where the high energy limit of perturbative QCD applies.

hep-th↗
arXiv2014

Are there scaling solutions in the O(N)-models for large N in d>4?

There have been some speculations about the existence of critical unitary O(N)-invariant scalar field theories in dimensions 4<d<6 and for large N. Using the functional renormalization group equation, we show that in the lowest order of the derivative expansion, and assuming that the anomalous dimension vanishes for large $N$, the corresponding critical potentials are either unbounded from below or singular for some finite value of the field.

hep-th↗
arXiv2014

Tensor Mode Backreaction During Slow-roll Inflation

We consider the backreaction of the long wavelength tensor modes produced during a slow-roll inflationary regime driven by a single scalar field in a spatially flat Friedmann-Lema\^ıtre-Robertson-Walker background geometry. We investigate the effects on non-local observables such as the effective (averaged) expansion rate and equation of state at second order in cosmological perturbation theory. The coupling between scalar and tensor perturbations induces at second order new tensor backreaction terms beyond the one already present in a de Sitter background. We analyze in detail the effects seen by the class of observers comoving with the inflaton field (taken as a clock) and the class of free-falling observers. In both cases the quantum backreaction is at least $1/ε$ (with $ε$ the slow-roll parameter) larger than the one which can be naively inferred from a de Sitter background. In particular, we compute the effect for a free massive inflaton model and obtain in both cases a quantum correction on the background expansion rate of the order of $H^4/(m^2 M_{Pl}^2)$. A short discussion on the issue of the breakdown of perturbation theory is given.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2013

Generalized Bootstrap Equations and possible implications for the NLO Odderon

We formulate and discuss generalized bootstrap equations in nonabelian gauge theories. They are shown to hold in the leading logarithmic approximation. Since their validity is related to the self-consistency of the Steinmann relations for inelastic production amplitudes they can be expected to be valid also in NLO. Specializing to the N=4 SYM, we show that the validity in NLO of these generalized bootstrap equations allows to find the NLO Odderon solution with intercept exactly at one, a result which is valid also for the planar limit of QCD.

hep-th↗
arXiv2012

NLO Corrections to the kernel of the BKP-equations

We present results for the NLO kernel of the BKP equations for composite states of three reggeized gluons in the Odderon channel, both in QCD and in N=4 SYM. The NLO kernel consists of the NLO BFKL kernel in the color octet representation and the connected $3\to3$ kernel, computed in the tree approximation.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2012

Functional RG flow of the effective Hamiltonian action

After a brief review of the definition and properties of the quantum effective Hamiltonian action we describe its renormalization flow by a functional RG equation. This equation can be used for a non-perturbative quantization and study also of theories with bare Hamiltonians which are not quadratic in the momenta. As an example the vacuum energy and gap of quantum mechanical models are computed. Extensions of this framework to quantum field theories are discussed. In particular one possible Lorentz covariant approach for simple scalar field theories is developed. Fermionic degrees of freedom, being naturally described by a first order formulation, can be easily accommodated in this approach.

hep-th↗
arXiv2012

Ward Identities for Amplitudes with Reggeized Gluons

Starting from the effective action of high energy QCD we derive Ward identities for Green's functions of reggeized gluons. They follow from the gauge invariance of the effective action, and allow to derive new representations of amplitudes containing physical particles as well as reggeized gluons. We explicitly demonstrate their validity for the BFKL kernel, and we present a new derivation of the kernel.

hep-th↗
arXiv2012

Isotropic Observers and the Inflationary Backreaction Problem

In an inflationary regime driven by a free massive inflaton we derive within a genuinely gauge invariant approach the backreaction effects due to long wavelength scalar fluctuations on the effective Hubble factor and equation of state with respect to a class of observers which sees an inhomogeneous and isotropic Universe. We find that, for such so-called isotropic observers, contrary to what happens for the observables defined by free-falling observers, there is an effect to leading order in the slow-roll parameter in the direction of slowing down the measured rate of expansion and of having an effective equation of state less de Sitter like. From a general point of view the isotropic observers result has to be considered complementary to other cases (observers) in helping to characterize the physical properties of the models under investigation.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2011

Functional RG flow equation: regularization and coarse-graining in phase space

Starting from the basic path integral in phase space we reconsider the functional approach to the RG flow of the one particle irreducible effective average action. On employing a balanced coarse-graining procedure for the canonical variables we obtain a functional integral with a non trivial measure which leads to a modified flow equation. We first address quantum mechanics for boson and fermion degrees of freedom and we then extend the construction to quantum field theories. For this modified flow equation we discuss the reconstruction of the bare action and the implications on the computation of the vacuum energy density.

hep-th↗
arXiv2011

Backreaction during inflation: a physical gauge invariant formulation

Within a genuinely gauge invariant approach recently developed for the computation of the cosmological backreaction, we study, in a cosmological inflationary context and with respect to various observers, the impact of scalar fluctuations on the space-time dynamics in the long wavelength limit. We stress that such a quantum backreaction effect is evaluated in a truly gauge independent way using a set of effective equations which describe the dynamics of the averaged geometry. In particular we show under what conditions the free falling (geodetic) observers do not experience any scalar-induced backreaction in the effective Hubble rate and fluid equation of state.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2011

Stochastic growth of quantum fluctuations during inflation

The standard field-theoretical approach to the slow-roll inflation is introduced. We then show as, in order to calculate the mean square of the canonical gauge invariant quantum fluctuations associated to a generic field, the logarithm of the scale factor has to be used as the time variable in the Fokker-Planck equation in the stochastic approach. Then we compute the growth of different test fields with a small effective mass during slow-roll inflationary models, comparing the results with the one for the gauge invariant canonical fluctuation associated to the inflaton, the Mukhanov variable. We find that in most of the single fields inflationary models such fluctuation grows faster than any test field with a non-negative effective mass, with the exception of hybrid models.

hep-th↗
arXiv2011

Asymptotic Safety, Emergence and Minimal Length

There seems to be a common prejudice that asymptotic safety is either incompatible with, or at best unrelated to, the other topics in the title. This is not the case. In fact, we show that 1) the existence of a fixed point with suitable properties is a promising way of deriving emergent properties of gravity, and 2) there is a sense in which asymptotic safety implies a minimal length. In so doing we also discuss possible signatures of asymptotic safety in scattering experiments.

hep-th↗
arXiv2010

Stochastic growth of quantum fluctuations during slow-roll inflation

We compute the growth of the mean square of quantum fluctuations of test fields with small effective mass during a slowly changing, nearly de Sitter stage which took place in different inflationary models. We consider a minimally coupled scalar with a small mass, a modulus with an effective mass $ \propto H^2$ (with $H$ as the Hubble parameter) and a massless non-minimally coupled scalar in the test field approximation and compare the growth of their relative mean square with the one of gauge-invariant inflaton fluctuations. We find that in most of the single field inflationary models the mean square gauge invariant inflaton fluctuation grows {\em faster} than any test field with a non-negative effective mass. Hybrid inflationary models can be an exception: the mean square of a test field can dominate over the gauge invariant inflaton fluctuation one on suitably choosing parameters. We also compute the stochastic growth of quantum fluctuation of a second field, relaxing the assumption of its zero homogeneous value, in a generic inflationary model; as a main result, we obtain that the equation of motion of a gauge invariant variable associated, order by order, with a generic quantum scalar fluctuation during inflation can be obtained only if we use the number of e-folds as the time variable in the corresponding Langevin and Fokker-Planck equations for the stochastic approach. We employ this approach to derive some bounds in the case of a model with two massive fields.

hep-th↗