arXiv subjects

Jens Braun

Publications and source records attributed to Jens Braun.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2023

Renormalised spectral flows

We derive renormalised finite functional flow equations for quantum field theories in real and imaginary time that incorporate scale transformations of the renormalisation conditions, hence implementing a flowing renormalisation. The flows are manifestly finite in general non-perturbative truncation schemes also for regularisation schemes that do not implement an infrared suppression of the loops in the flow. Specifically, this formulation includes finite functional flows for the effective action with a spectral Callan-Symanzik cutoff, and therefore gives access to Lorentz invariant spectral flows. The functional setup is fully non-perturbative and allows for the spectral treatment of general theories. In particular, this includes theories that do not admit a perturbative renormalisation such as asymptotically safe theories. Finally, the application of the Lorentz invariant spectral functional renormalisation group is briefly discussed for theories ranging from real scalar and Yukawa theories to gauge theories and quantum gravity.

hep-th↗

arXiv2023

Complex Langevin and other approaches to the sign problem in quantum many-body physics

We review the theory and applications of complex stochastic quantization to the quantum many-body problem. Along the way, we present a brief overview of a number of ideas that either ameliorate or in some cases altogether solve the sign problem, including the classic reweighting method, alternative Hubbard-Stratonovich transformations, dual variables (for bosons and fermions), Majorana fermions, density-of-states methods, imaginary asymmetry approaches, and Lefschetz thimbles. We discuss some aspects of the mathematical underpinnings of conventional stochastic quantization, provide a few pedagogical examples, and summarize open challenges and practical solutions for the complex case. Finally, we review the recent applications of complex Langevin to quantum field theory in relativistic and nonrelativistic quantum matter, with an emphasis on the nonrelativistic case.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2022

Zero-temperature thermodynamics of dense asymmetric strong-interaction matter

Employing constraints derived from the microscopic theory of the strong interaction, we estimate the zero-temperature phase structure of dense isospin-asymmetric matter with two quark flavors. We find indications that strong-interaction matter along trajectories relevant for astrophysical applications undergoes a first-order phase transition from a color-superconducting phase to an ungapped quark-matter phase when the density is increased. Such a phase transition is found to be absent in isospin-symmetric matter. Moreover, by taking into account constraints from $β$-equilibrium, charge neutrality, and color neutrality, we provide an estimate for the speed of sound in neutron-star matter. Notably, we observe that the speed of sound in neutron-star matter exceeds the asymptotic value associated with the noninteracting quark gas and even increases towards lower densities across a wide range, in agreement with recent results for isospin-symmetric matter. Considering results from studies based on chiral effective field theory at low densities, our findings suggest the existence of a maximum in the speed of sound for $n/n_0 \lesssim 10$, where $n_0$ is the nuclear saturation density.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2022

Numerical fluid dynamics for FRG flow equations: Zero-dimensional QFTs as numerical test cases. I. The $O(N)$ model

The functional renormalization group (FRG) approach is a powerful tool for studies of a large variety of systems, ranging from statistical physics over the theory of the strong interaction to gravity. The practical application of this approach relies on the derivation of so-called flow equations, which describe the change of the quantum effective action under the variation of a coarse-graining parameter. In the present work, we discuss in detail a novel approach to solve such flow equations. This approach relies on the fact that RG equations can be rewritten such that they exhibit similarities with the conservation laws of fluid dynamics. This observation can be exploited in different ways. First of all, we show that this allows to employ powerful numerical techniques developed in the context of fluid dynamics to solve RG equations. In particular, it allows us to reliably treat the emergence of nonanalytic behavior in the RG flow of the effective action as it is expected to occur in studies of, e.g., spontaneous symmetry breaking. Second, the analogy between RG equations and fluid dynamics offers the opportunity to gain novel insights into RG flows and their interpretation in general, including the irreversibility of RG flows. We work out this connection in practice by applying it to zero-dimensional quantum-field theoretical models. The generalization to higher-dimensional models is also discussed. Our findings are expected to help improving future FRG studies of quantum field theories in higher dimensions both on a qualitative and quantitative level.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2022

Numerical fluid dynamics for FRG flow equations: Zero-dimensional QFTs as numerical test cases. II. Entropy production and irreversibility of RG flows

We demonstrate that the reformulation of renormalization group (RG) flow equations as non-linear heat equations has severe implications on the understanding of RG flows in general. We demonstrate by explicitly constructing an entropy function for a zero-dimensional $\mathbb{Z}_2$-symmetric model that the dissipative character of generic non-linear diffusion equations is also hard-coded in the functional RG equation. This renders RG flows manifestly irreversible, revealing the semi-group property of RG transformations on the level of the flow equation itself. Additionally, we argue that the dissipative character of RG flows, its irreversibility and the entropy production during the RG flow may be linked to the existence of a so-called $\mathcal{C}$-/$\mathcal{A}$-function. In total, this introduces an asymmetry in the so-called RG time -- in complete analogy to the thermodynamic arrow of time -- and allows for an interpretation of infrared actions as equilibrium solutions of dissipative RG flows equations. The impossibility of resolving microphysics from macrophysics is evident in this framework. Furthermore, we directly link the irreversibility and the entropy production in RG flows to an explicit numerical entropy production, which is manifest in diffusive and non-linear partial differential equations (PDEs) and a standard mathematical tool for the analysis of PDEs. Using exactly solvable zero-dimensional $\mathbb{Z}_2$-symmetric models, we explicitly compute the (numerical) entropy production related to the total variation non-increasing property of the PDE during RG flows toward the infrared limit. Finally, we discuss generalizations of our findings and relations to the $\mathcal{C}$-/$\mathcal{A}$-theorem as well as how our work may help to construct truncations of RG flow equations in the future, including numerically stable schemes for solving the corresponding PDEs.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2021

Pairing patterns in polarized unitary Fermi gases above the superfluid transition

We non-perturbatively study pairing in the high-temperature regime of polarized unitary two-component Fermi gases by extracting the pair-momentum distribution and shot-noise correlations. Whereas the pair-momentum distribution allows us to analyze the propagation of pairs composed of one spin-up and one spin-down fermion, shot-noise correlations provide us with a tomographic insight into pairing correlations around the Fermi surfaces associated with the two species. Assuming that the dominant pairing patterns right above the superfluid transition also govern the formation of condensates in the low-temperature regime, our analysis suggests that the superfluid ground state is homogeneous and of the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer-type over a wide range of polarizations.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2021

From quarks and gluons to color superconductivity at supranuclear densities

We study the emergence of color superconductivity in the theory of the strong interaction at supranuclear densities. To this end, we follow the renormalization group (RG) flow of dense strong-interaction matter with two massless quark flavors from the fundamental quark and gluon degrees of freedom at high energies down to the non-perturbative low-energy regime which is found to be governed by the dynamical formation of diquark states. With the strong coupling at the initial RG scale as the only input parameter, we compute the (chirally symmetric) scalar diquark condensate and analyze its scaling behavior over a wide range of the quark chemical potential. Approximations entering our computations are critically assessed. Since our approach naturally allows us to study the scale dependence of couplings, we also monitor the strength of couplings appearing in low-energy models of dense strong-interaction matter. The observed dependence of these couplings on the quark chemical potential may help to amend model studies in the future. Finally, we estimate the speed of sound of dense QCD matter. Our results indicate that the speed of sound exceeds the value of the noninteracting quark gas at high densities and even increases as the density is decreased, across a wide range, suggesting the existence of a maximum at supranuclear densities.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Pairing and the spin susceptibility of the polarized unitary Fermi gas in the normal phase

We theoretically study the pairing behavior of the unitary Fermi gas in the normal phase. Our analysis is based on the static spin susceptibility, which characterizes the response to an external magnetic field. We obtain this quantity by means of the complex Langevin approach and compare our calculations to available literature data in the spin-balanced case. Furthermore, we present results for polarized systems, where we complement and expand our analysis at high temperature with high-order virial expansion results. The implications of our findings for the phase diagram of the spin-polarized unitary Fermi gas are discussed, in the context of the state of the art.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2020

Chiral and effective $U(1)_{\rm A}$ symmetry restoration in QCD

The nature and location of the QCD phase transition close to the chiral limit restricts the phase structure of QCD with physical pion masses at non-vanishing density. At small pion masses, explicit $U(1)_{\rm A}$-breaking, as induced by a non-trivial topological density, is of eminent importance. It triggers the 't Hooft interactions and also manifests itself in the interplay of four-quark interactions at low momentum scales. In the present work, we perform a Fierz-complete analysis of the emergence of four-quark interactions from the QCD dynamics at finite temperature, subject to a given 't Hooft coupling at large momentum scales. The variation of the latter allows us to test the robustness of our findings. Taking an estimate of the effect of the topological running of the 't Hooft coupling into account, our analysis suggests that the chiral transition in QCD with two massless quark flavours falls into the $O(4)$ universality class.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2020

Renormalization Group Studies of Dense Relativistic Systems

Dense relativistic matter has attracted a lot of attention over many decades now, with a focus on an understanding of the phase structure and thermodynamics of dense strong-interaction matter. The analysis of dense strong-interaction matter is complicated by the fact that the system is expected to undergo a transition from a regime governed by spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking at low densities to a regime governed by the presence of a Cooper instability at intermediate and high densities. Renormalization group (RG) approaches have played and still play a prominent role in studies of dense matter in general. In the present work, we study RG flows of dense relativistic systems in the presence of a Cooper instability and analyze the role of the Silver-Blaze property. In particular, we critically assess how to apply the derivative expansion to study dense-matter systems in a systematic fashion. This also involves a detailed discussion of regularization schemes. Guided by these formal developments, we introduce a new class of regulator functions for functional RG studies which is suitable to deal with the presence of a Cooper instability in relativistic theories. We close by demonstrating its application with the aid of a simple quark-diquark model.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2020

Pairing patterns in one-dimensional spin- and mass-imbalanced Fermi gases

We study spin- and mass-imbalanced mixtures of spin-$\tfrac{1}{2}$ fermions interacting via an attractive contact potential in one spatial dimension. Specifically, we address the influence of unequal particle masses on the pair formation by means of the complex Langevin method. By computing the pair-correlation function and the associated pair-momentum distribution we find that inhomogeneous pairing is present for all studied spin polarizations and mass imbalances. To further characterize the pairing behavior, we analyze the density-density correlations in momentum space, the so-called shot noise, which is experimentally accessible through time-of-flight imaging. At finite spin polarization, the latter is known to show distinct maxima at momentum configurations associated with the Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) instability. Besides those maxima, we find that additional features emerge in the noise correlations when mass imbalance is increased, revealing the stability of FFLO-type correlations against mass imbalance and furnishing an experimentally accessible signature to probe this type of pairing.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2020

Chiral Susceptibility in (2+1)-flavour QCD

We calculate chiral susceptibilities in (2+1)-flavour QCD for different masses of the light quarks using the functional renormalisation group (fRG) approach to first-principles QCD. We follow the evolution of the chiral susceptibilities with decreasing masses as obtained from both the light-quark and the reduced quark condensate. The latter compares very well with recent results from the HotQCD collaboration for pion masses $m_π\gtrsim 100\,\text{MeV}$. For smaller pion masses, the fRG and lattice results are still consistent. In particular, the estimates for the chiral critical temperature are in very good agreement. We close by discussing different extrapolations to the chiral limit.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2019

Fierz-complete NJL model study III: Emergence from quark-gluon dynamics

Our understanding of the dynamics and the phase structure of dense strong-interaction matter is to a large extent still built on the analysis of low-energy models, such as those of the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio-type. In this work, we analyze the emergence of the latter class of models at intermediate and low energy scales from fundamental quark-gluon interactions. To this end, we study the renormalization group flow of a Fierz-complete set of four-quark interactions and monitor their strength at finite temperature and quark chemical potential. At small quark chemical potential, we find that the scalar-pseudoscalar interaction channel is dynamically rendered most dominant by the gauge degrees of freedom, indicating the formation of a chiral condensate. Moreover, the inclusion of quark-gluon interactions leaves a significant imprint on the dynamics as measured by the curvature of the finite-temperature phase boundary which we find to be in accordance with lattice QCD results. At large quark chemical potential, we then observe that the dominance pattern of the four-quark couplings is changed by the underlying quark-gluon dynamics, without any fine-tuning of the four-quark couplings. In this regime, the scalar-pseudoscalar interaction channel becomes subleading and the dominance pattern suggests the formation of a chirally symmetric diquark condensate. In particular, our study confirms the importance of explicit $U_{\mathrm{A}}(1)$ breaking for the formation of this type of condensate at high densities.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2019

Finite-temperature equation of state of polarized fermions at unitarity

We study in a nonperturbative fashion the thermodynamics of a unitary Fermi gas over a wide range of temperatures and spin polarizations. To this end, we use the complex Langevin method, a first principles approach for strongly coupled systems. Specifically, we show results for the density equation of state, the magnetization, and the magnetic susceptibility. At zero polarization, our results agree well with state-of-the art results for the density equation of state and with experimental data. At finite polarization and low fugacity, our results are in excellent agreement with the third-order virial expansion. In the fully quantum mechanical regime close to the balanced limit, the critical temperature for superfluidity appears to depend only weakly on the spin polarization.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2018

Surmounting the sign problem in non-relativistic calculations: a case study with mass-imbalanced fermions

The calculation of the ground state and thermodynamics of mass-imbalanced Fermi systems is a challenging many-body problem. Even in one spatial dimension, analytic solutions are limited to special configurations and numerical progress with standard Monte Carlo approaches is hindered by the sign problem. The focus of the present work is on the further development of methods to study imbalanced systems in a fully non-perturbative fashion. We report our calculations of the ground-state energy of mass-imbalanced fermions using two different approaches which are also very popular in the context of the theory of the strong interaction (Quantum Chromodynamics, QCD): (a) the hybrid Monte Carlo algorithm with imaginary mass imbalance, followed by an analytic continuation to the real axis; and (b) the Complex Langevin algorithm. We cover a range of on-site interaction strengths that includes strongly attractive as well as strongly repulsive cases which we verify with non-perturbative renormalization group methods and perturbation theory. Our findings indicate that, for strong repulsive couplings, the energy starts to flatten out, implying interesting consequences for short-range and high-frequency correlation functions. Overall, our results clearly indicate that the Complex Langevin approach is very versatile and works very well for imbalanced Fermi gases with both attractive and repulsive interactions.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2018

Renormalization group consistency and low-energy effective theories

Low-energy effective theories have been used very successfully to study the low-energy limit of QCD, providing us with results for a plethora of phenomena, ranging from bound-state formation to phase transitions in QCD. These theories are consistent quantum field theories by themselves and can be embedded in QCD, but typically have a physical ultraviolet cutoff that restricts their range of validity. Here, we provide a discussion of the concept of renormalization group consistency, aiming at an analysis of cutoff effects and regularization-scheme dependences in general studies of low-energy effective theories. For illustration, our findings are applied to low-energy effective models of QCD in different approximations including the mean-field approximation. More specifically, we consider hot and dense as well as finite systems and demonstrate that violations of renormalization group consistency affect significantly the predictive power of the corresponding model calculations.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2018

Polarized fermions in one dimension: density and polarization from complex Langevin calculations, perturbation theory, and the virial expansion

We calculate the finite-temperature density and polarization equations of state of one-dimensional fermions with a zero-range interaction, considering both attractive and repulsive regimes. In the path-integral formulation of the grand-canonical ensemble, a finite chemical potential asymmetry makes these systems intractable for standard Monte Carlo approaches due to the sign problem. Although the latter can be removed in one spatial dimension, we consider the one-dimensional situation in the present work to provide an efficient test for studies of the higher-dimensional counterparts. To overcome the sign problem, we use the complex Langevin approach, which we compare here with other approaches: imaginary-polarization studies, third-order perturbation theory, and the third-order virial expansion. We find very good qualitative and quantitative agreement across all methods in the regimes studied, which supports their validity.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2018

Fierz-complete NJL model study: fixed points and phase structure at finite temperature and density

Nambu-Jona-Lasinio-type models are frequently employed as low-energy models in various research fields. With respect to the theory of the strong interaction, this class of models is indeed often used to analyze the structure of the phase diagram at finite temperature and quark chemical potential. The predictions from such models for the phase structure at finite quark chemical potential are of particular interest as this regime is difficult to access with lattice Monte Carlo approaches. In this work, we consider a Fierz-complete version of a Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model. By studying its renormalization group flow, we analyze in detail how Fierz-incomplete approximations affect the predictive power of such model studies. In particular, we investigate the curvature of the phase boundary at small chemical potential, the critical value of the chemical potential above which no spontaneous symmetry breaking occurs, and the possible interpretation of the underlying dynamics in terms of difermion-type degrees of freedom. We find that the inclusion of four-fermion channels other than the conventional scalar-pseudoscalar channel is not only important at large chemical potential but also leaves a significant imprint on the dynamics at small chemical potential as measured by the curvature of the finite-temperature phase boundary.

hep-ph↗