arXiv subjects

Savvas Zafeiropoulos

Publications and source records attributed to Savvas Zafeiropoulos.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2022

Translating topological benefits in very cold lattice simulations

Master-field simulations offer an approach to lattice QCD in which calculations are performed on a small number of large-volume gauge-field configurations. The latter is advantageous for simulations in which the global topological charge is frozen due to a very fine lattice spacing, as the effect of this on observables is suppressed by the spacetime volume. Here we make use of the recently developed Stabilised Wilson Fermions to investigate a variation of this approach in which only the temporal direction ($T$) is taken larger than in traditional calculations. As compared to a hyper-cubic lattice geometry, this has the advantage that finite-$L$ effects can be useful, e.g. for multi-hadron observables, while compared to open boundary conditions, time-translation invariance is not lost. In this proof-of-concept contribution, we study the idea of using very cold (i.e. long-$T$) lattices to topologically "defrost" observables at fine lattice spacing. We identify the scalar-scalar meson two-point correlation function as a useful probe and present first results from $N_f=3$ ensembles with time extents up to $T=2304$ and a lattice spacing of $a=0.055\,\rm{fm}$.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2022

Non-singlet quark helicity PDFs of the nucleon from pseudo-distributions

The non-singlet helicity quark parton distribution functions (PDFs) of the nucleon are determined from lattice QCD, by jointly leveraging pseudo-distributions and the distillation spatial smearing paradigm. A Lorentz decomposition of appropriately isolated space-like matrix elements reveals pseudo-distributions that contain information on the leading-twist helicity PDFs, as well as an invariant amplitude that induces an additional $z^2$ contamination of the leading-twist signal. An analysis of the short-distance behavior of the space-like matrix elements using matching coefficients computed to next-to-leading order (NLO) exposes the desired PDF up to this additional $z^2$ contamination. Due to the non-conservation of the axial current, we elect to isolate the helicity PDFs normalized by the nucleon axial charge at the same scale $μ^2$. The leading-twist helicity PDFs as well as several sources of systematic error, including higher-twist effects, discretization errors, and the aforementioned $z^2$ contaminating amplitude are jointly determined by characterizing the computed pseudo-distribution in a basis of Jacobi polynomials. The Akaike Information Criterion is exploited to effectively average over distinct model parameterizations and cuts on the pseudo-distribution. Encouraging agreement is observed with recent global analyses of each non-singlet quark helicity PDF, notably a rather small non-singlet anti-quark helicity PDF for all quark momentum fractions.

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arXiv2022

Towards the determination of the gluon helicity distribution in the nucleon from lattice quantum chromodynamics

We present the first exploratory lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD) calculation of the polarized gluon Ioffe-time pseudo-distribution in the nucleon. The Ioffe-time pseudo-distribution provides a frame-independent and gauge-invariant framework to determine the gluon helicity in the nucleon from first principles. We employ a high-statistics computation using a $32^3\times 64$ lattice ensemble characterized by a $358$ MeV pion mass and a $0.094$ fm lattice spacing. We establish the pseudo-distribution approach as a feasible method to address the proton spin puzzle with successive improvements in statistical and systematic uncertainties anticipated in the future. Within the statistical precision of our data, we find a good comparison between the lattice determined polarized gluon Ioffe-time distribution and the corresponding expectations from the state-of-the-art global analyses. We find a hint for a nonzero gluon spin contribution to the proton spin from the model-independent extraction of the gluon helicity pseudo-distribution over a range of Ioffe-time, $ν\lesssim 9$.

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arXiv2022

Instanton gas approach to the Hubbard model

In this article we consider a path integral formulation of the Hubbard model based on a SU(2)-symmetrical Hubbard-Stratonovich transformation that couples auxiliary field to the local electronic density. This decoupling is known to have a regular saddle-point structure: each saddle point is a set of elementary field configurations localized in space and imaginary time which we coin instantons. We formulate a classical partition function for the instanton gas that has predictive power. Namely, we can predict the distribution of instantons and show that the instanton number is sharply defined in the thermodynamic limit, thus defining a unique dominant saddle point. Despite the fact that the instanton approach does not capture the magnetic transition inherent to the Hubbard model on the honeycomb lattice, we were able to describe the local moment formation accompanied by short-ranged anti-ferromagnetic correlations. This aspect is also seen in the single particle spectral function that shows clear signs of the upper and lower Hubbard bands. Our instanton approach bears remarkable similarities to local dynamical approaches, such as dynamical mean field theory, in the sense that it has the unique property of allowing for local moment formation without breaking the SU(2) spin symmetry. In contrast to local approaches, it captures short-ranged magnetic fluctuations. Furthermore, it also offers possibilities for systematic improvements by taking into account fluctuations around the dominant saddle point. Finally, we show that the saddle point structure depends upon the choice of lattice geometry. For the square lattice at half-filling, the saddle point structure reflects the itinerant to localized nature of the magnetism as a function of the coupling strength. The implications of our results for Lefschetz thimbles approaches to alleviate the sign problem are also discussed.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2022

Extraction of $B_s \to D^{(*)}_s$ form factors from ${ N_f}=2$ lattice QCD

We report on a two-flavour lattice QCD study of the $B_s \to D_s$ and $B_s \to D^*_s$ transitions parameterized, in the heavy quark limit, by the form factors ${\cal G}$, and $h_{A_1}$, $h_{A_2}$ and $h_{A_3}$, respectively. In the search for New Physics through tests of lepton flavour universality, $B_s$ decay channels are complementary to the $B$ decays widely studied at $B$ factories and LHCb, while on the theory side they can be better controlled than the $B_c$ and $Λ_b$ decays. The purpose of this exploratory two-flavour study is, in preparation for future analyses of lattice QCD simulations with ${N_f>2}$ and physical quark-masses, to gain experience on a suitable method for a lattice extraction of form factors associated with $b \to c$ currents that may yield tighter control over systematic effects like contamination from excited states and cut-off effects. We obtain the zero-recoil values ${\cal G}^{B_s \to D_s}(1)=1.03(14)$ and $h^{B_s \to D^*_s}(1)=0.85(16)$.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2022

Reconstructing QCD Spectral Functions with Gaussian Processes

We reconstruct ghost and gluon spectral functions in 2+1 flavor QCD with Gaussian process regression. This framework allows us to largely suppress spurious oscillations and other common reconstruction artifacts by specifying generic magnitude and length scale parameters in the kernel function. The Euclidean propagator data are taken from lattice simulations with domain wall fermions at the physical point. For the infrared and ultraviolet extensions of the lattice propagators as well as the low-frequency asymptotics of the ghost spectral function, we utilize results from functional computations in Yang-Mills theory and QCD. This further reduces the systematic error significantly. Our numerical results are compared against a direct real-time functional computation of the ghost and an earlier reconstruction of the gluon in Yang-Mills theory. The systematic approach presented in this work offers a promising route towards unveiling real-time properties of QCD.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

Properties, ensembles and hadron spectra with Stabilised Wilson Fermions

In this joint contribution we announce the formation of the "OPEN LATtice initiative", https://openlat1.gitlab.io, to study Stabilised Wilson Fermions (SWF). They are a new avenue for QCD calculations with Wilson-type fermions and we report results on our continued study of this framework: Tuning the clover improvement coefficient, and extending the reach of lattice spacings to $a=0.12$ fm. We fix the flavor symmetric points $m_π=m_K=412$ MeV at $a=0.055,0.064, 0.077, 0.094, 0.12$ fm and define the trajectories to the physical point by fixing the trace of the quark mass matrix. Currently our pion mass range extends down to $m_π\sim200$ MeV. We outline our tuning goals and strategy as well as our future planned ensembles. First scaling studies are performed on $f_π$ and $m_π$. Additionally results of a preliminary continuum extrapolation of $m_N$ at the flavor symmetric point are presented. Going further a first determination of the light and strange hadron spectrum chiral dependence is shown, which serves to check the quality of the action for precision measurements. We also investigate other quantities such as flowed gauge observables to study how the continuum limit is approached. Taken together we observe the SWF enable us to perform stable lattice simulations across a large range of parameters in mass, volume and lattice spacing. Pooling resources our new initiative has made our reported progress possible and through it we will share generated gauge ensembles under an open science philosophy.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2021

$B_s \to D^{(*)}_s$ form factors from lattice QCD with ${ N_f}=2$ Wilson-clover quarks

We report on a two-flavour lattice QCD determination of the $B_s\to D_s$ and $B_s\to D_s^*$ transitions, which in the heavy quark limit can be parameterised by the form factors $\mathcal{G}$, and $h_{\text A_1}$, $h_{\text A_2}$ and $h_{\text A_3}$. In the search of New Physics through tests of lepton-flavour universality, $B_s$ decay channels are complementary to $B$ decays and widely studied at $B$ factories and LHCb. The purpose of our study is to explore a suitable method to extract form factors associated with $b\to c$ currents from lattice QCD. In particular, we present numerical results for $\mathcal{G}$ and $h_{\text A_1}$.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2021

The transversity parton distribution function of the nucleon using the pseudo-distribution approach

We present a determination of the non-singlet transversity parton distribution function (PDF) of the nucleon, normalized with respect to the tensor charge at $μ^2=2$ GeV$^2$ from lattice quantum chromodynamics. We apply the pseudo-distribution approach, using a gauge ensemble with a lattice spacing of 0.094 fm and the light quark mass tuned to a pion mass of 358 MeV. We extract the transversity PDF from the analysis of the short-distance behavior of the Ioffe-time pseudo-distribution using the leading-twist next-to-leading order (NLO) matching coefficients calculated for transversity. We reconstruct the $x$-dependence of the transversity PDF through an expansion in a basis of Jacobi polynomials in order to reduce the PDF ansatz dependence. Within the limitations imposed by a heavier-than-physical pion mass and a fixed lattice spacing, we present a comparison of our estimate for the valence transversity PDF with the recent global fit results based on single transverse spin asymmetry. We find the intrinsic nucleon sea to be isospin symmetric with respect to transversity.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2021

Unpolarized gluon distribution in the nucleon from lattice quantum chromodynamics

In this study, we present a determination of the unpolarized gluon Ioffe-time distribution in the nucleon from a first principles lattice quantum chromodynamics calculation. We carry out the lattice calculation on a $32^3\times 64$ ensemble with a pion mass of $358$ MeV and lattice spacing of $0.094$ fm. We construct the nucleon interpolating fields using the distillation technique, flow the gauge fields using the gradient flow, and solve the summed generalized eigenvalue problem to determine the glounic matrix elements. Combining these techniques allows us to provide a statistically well-controlled Ioffe-time distribution and unpolarized gluon PDF. We obtain the flow time independent reduced Ioffe-time pseudo-distribution, and calculate the light-cone Ioffe-time distribution and unpolarized gluon distribution function in the $\overline{\rm MS}$ scheme at $μ= 2$ GeV, neglecting the mixing of the gluon operator with the quark singlet sector. Finally, we compare our results to phenomenological determinations.

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arXiv2021

Towards High-Precision Parton Distributions From Lattice QCD via Distillation

We apply the Distillation spatial smearing program to the extraction of the unpolarized isovector valence PDF of the nucleon. The improved volume sampling and control of excited-states afforded by distillation leads to a dramatically improved determination of the requisite Ioffe-time Pseudo-distribution (pITD). The impact of higher-twist effects is subsequently explored by extending the Wilson line length present in our non-local operators to one half the spatial extent of the lattice ensemble considered. The valence PDF is extracted by analyzing both the matched Ioffe-time Distribution (ITD), as well as a direct matching of the pITD to the PDF. Through development of a novel prescription to obtain the PDF from the pITD, we establish a concerning deviation of the pITD from the expected DGLAP evolution of the pseudo-PDF. The presence of DGLAP evolution is observed once more following introduction of a discretization term into the PDF extractions. Observance and correction of this discrepancy further highlights the utility of distillation in such structure studies.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2021

The Continuum and Leading Twist Limits of Parton Distribution Functions in Lattice QCD

In this study, we present continuum limit results for the unpolarized parton distribution function of the nucleon computed in lattice QCD. This study is the first continuum limit using the pseudo-PDF approach with Short Distance Factorization for factorizing lattice QCD calculable matrix elements. Our findings are also compared with the pertinent phenomenological determinations. Inter alia, we are employing the summation Generalized Eigenvalue Problem (sGEVP) technique in order to optimize our control over the excited state contamination which can be one of the most serious systematic errors in this type of calculations. A crucial novel ingredient of our analysis is the parameterization of systematic errors using Jacobi polynomials to characterize and remove both lattice spacing and higher twist contaminations, as well as the leading twist distribution. This method can be expanded in further studies to remove all other systematic errors.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2021

Neural-network analysis of Parton Distribution Functions from Ioffe-time pseudodistributions

We extract two nonsinglet nucleon Parton Distribution Functions from lattice QCD data for reduced Ioffe-time pseudodistributions. We perform such analysis within the NNPDF framework, considering data coming from different lattice ensembles and discussing in detail the treatment of the different source of systematics involved in the fit. We introduce a recipe for taking care of systematics and use it to perform our extraction of light-cone PDFs.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2020

Parton Distribution Functions from Ioffe Time Pseudodistributions from Lattice Calculations: Approaching the Physical Point

We present results for the unpolarized parton distribution function of the nucleon computed in lattice QCD at the physical pion mass. This is the first study of its kind employing the method of Ioffe time pseudo-distributions. Beyond the reconstruction of the Bjorken-$x$ dependence we also extract the lowest moments of the distribution function using the small Ioffe time expansion of the Ioffe time pseudo-distribution. We compare our findings with the pertinent phenomenological determinations.

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arXiv2020

Parton Distribution Functions from Ioffe time pseudo-distributions

In this paper, we present a detailed study of the unpolarized nucleon parton distribution function (PDF) employing the approach of parton pseudo-distribution functions. We perform a systematic analysis using three lattice ensembles at two volumes, with lattice spacings $a=$ 0.127 fm and $a=$ 0.094 fm, for a pion mass of roughly 400 MeV. With two lattice spacings and two volumes, both continuum limit and infinite volume extrapolation systematic errors of the PDF are estimated. In addition to the $x$ dependence of the PDF, we compute their first two moments and compare them with the pertinent phenomenological determinations.

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arXiv2020

Lefschetz thimbles decomposition for the Hubbard model on the hexagonal lattice

We propose a framework to study the properties of the Lefschetz thimbles decomposition for lattice fermion models approaching the thermodynamic limit. The proposed set of algorithms includes the Schur complement solver and the exact computation of the derivatives of the fermion determinant. It allows us to solve the gradient flow (GF) equations taking into account the fermion determinant exactly, with high performance. We can find both real and complex saddle points and describe the structure of the Lefschetz thimbles decomposition for large enough lattices to extrapolate the results to the thermodynamic limit. The algorithms are described for a general lattice fermion model, with emphasis on two types of lattice discretizations for relativistic fermions (staggered and Wilson), as well as on interacting tight-binding models for condensed matter systems. We apply these algorithms to the Hubbard model on a hexagonal lattice, dealing with lattice volumes as large as 12x12 with 256 steps in Euclidean time, in order to capture the properties of the thimbles decomposition as the thermodynamic, low-temperature, and continuum limits are approached. The complexity of the thimbles decomposition appears to be dependent on the form of the Hubbard-Stratonovich (HS) transformation. In particular, the evidence is provided for the existence of an optimal regime for the hexagonal lattice Hubbard model, with a reduced number of thimbles being important in the overall sum. We have performed quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) simulations using GF to deform the integration contour into the complex plane and demonstrated the agreement with exact diagonalization on small volumes (8 sites in space) if optimal setup for HS transformation is used. The residual sign problem is compared with the state-of-the-art BSS-QMC. We show that the average sign can be kept substantially higher using the Lefschetz thimbles approach.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Effective charge from lattice QCD

Using lattice configurations for quantum chromodynamics (QCD) generated with three domain-wall fermions at a physical pion mass, we obtain a parameter-free prediction of QCD's renormalisation-group-invariant process-independent effective charge, $\hatα(k^2)$. Owing to the dynamical breaking of scale invariance, evident in the emergence of a gluon mass-scale, this coupling saturates at infrared momenta: $\hatα(0)/π=0.97(4)$. Amongst other things: $\hatα(k^2)$ is almost identical to the process-dependent (PD) effective charge defined via the Bjorken sum rule; and also that PD charge which, employed in the one-loop evolution equations, delivers agreement between pion parton distribution functions computed at the hadronic scale and experiment. The diversity of unifying roles played by $\hatα(k^2)$ suggests that it is a strong candidate for that object which represents the interaction strength in QCD at any given momentum scale; and its properties support a conclusion that QCD is a mathematically well-defined quantum field theory in four dimensions.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2019

Pion Valence Structure from Ioffe Time Pseudo-Distributions

We present a calculation of the pion valence quark distribution extracted using the formalism of reduced Ioffe time pseudo-distributions or more commonly known as pseudo-PDFs. Our calculation is carried out on two different 2+1 flavor QCD ensembles using the isotropic-clover fermion action, with lattice dimensions $24^3\times 64$ and $32^3\times 96$ at the lattice spacing of $a=0.127$ fm, and with the quark mass equivalent to a pion mass of $m_π\simeq 415$ MeV. We incorporate several combinations of smeared-point and smeared-smeared pion source-sink interpolation fields in obtaining the lattice QCD matrix elements using the summation method. After one-loop perturbative matching and combining the pseudo-distributions from these two ensembles, we extract the pion valence quark distribution using a phenomenological functional form motivated by the global fits of parton distribution functions. We also calculate the lowest four moments of the pion quark distribution through the "OPE without OPE". We present a qualitative comparison between our lattice QCD extraction of the pion valence quark distribution with that obtained from global fits and previous lattice QCD calculations.

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