arXiv subjects

Simon Hands

Publications and source records attributed to Simon Hands.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

Critical Behaviour in the Single Flavor Planar Thirring Model

We report results of simulations of the $2+1d$ Thirring model with $N$ fermion flavors, defined on a lattice using domain wall fermions. This approach is devised to respect as far as possible the underlying U($2N$) symmetry of the continuum model, expected to be recovered in the limit wall separation $L_s\to\infty$. For $N=1$ there is a symmetry-breaking phase transition associated with bilinear condensation at strong fermion self-interaction, which is a plausible location for a quantum critical point. Fits to a renormalisation group-inspired equation of state yield critical exponents distinct from those obtained using a version of the model defined using staggered fermions.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2021

Cold atoms meet lattice gauge theory

The central idea of this review is to consider quantum field theory models relevant for particle physics and replace the fermionic matter in these models by a bosonic one. This is mostly motivated by the fact that bosons are more ``accessible'' and easier to manipulate for experimentalists, but this ``substitution'' also leads to new physics and novel phenomena. It allows us to gain new information about among other things confinement and the dynamics of the deconfinement transition. We will thus consider bosons in dynamical lattices corresponding to the bosonic Schwinger or Z$_2$ Bose-Hubbard models. Another central idea of this review concerns atomic simulators of paradigmatic models of particle physics theory such as the Creutz-Hubbard ladder, or Gross-Neveu-Wilson and Wilson-Hubbard models. Finally, we will briefly describe our efforts to design experimentally friendly simulators of these and other models relevant for particle physics.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2021

Planar Thirring Model in the U(2$N$)-symmetric limit

I review the Thirring model in 2+1$d$ dimensions, focussing in particular on possible strongly-interacting UV-stable fixed points of the renormalisation group, corresponding to a continuous phase transition where a U($2N$) global symmetry spontaneously breaks to U($N)\otimes$U($N$). Since there is no small parameter in play, a systematic non-perturbative approach such as numerical simulation of lattice field theory is mandated. I compare and contrast various formulations, paying particular attention to models formulated with either staggered or domain wall lattice fermions. Domain wall fermions, which faithfully capture U($2N$) symmetry in the limit of wall separation $L_s\to\infty$, predict a critical flavor number $1<N_c<2$.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2021

The Planar Thirring Model with Kähler-Dirac Fermions

Kähler's geometric approach in which relativistic fermion fields are treated as differential forms is applied in three spacetime dimensions. It is shown that the resulting continuum theory is invariant under global U($N)\otimes$U($N)$ field transformations, and has a parity-invariant mass term, both symmetries shared in common with staggered lattice fermions. The formalism is used to construct a version of the Thirring model with contact interactions between conserved Noether currents. Under reasonable assumptions about field rescaling after quantum corrections, a more general interaction term is derived, sharing the same symmetries but now including terms which entangle spin and taste degrees of freedom, which exactly coincides with the leading terms in the staggered lattice Thirring model in the long-wavelength limit. Finally truncated versions of the theory are explored; it is found that excluding scalar and pseudoscalar components leads to a theory of six-component fermion fields describing particles with spin 1, with fermion and antifermion corresponding to states with definite circular polarisation. In the UV limit only transverse states with just four non-vanishing components propagate. Implications for the description of dynamics at a strongly interacting renormalisation-group fixed point are discussed.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2020

Critical Behaviour in the Single Flavor Thirring Model in 2+1d

Results of a lattice field theory simulation of the single-flavor Thirring model in 2+1 spacetime dimensions are presented. The lattice model is formulated using domain wall fermions as a means to recover the correct U(2) symmetries of the continuum model in the limit where wall separation $L_s\to\infty$. Simulations on $12^3, 16^3\times L_s$, varying self-interaction strength $g^2$ and bare mass $m$ are performed with $L_s = 8, \ldots 48$, and the results for the bilinear condensate $\langle\barψψ\rangle$ fitted to a model equation of state assuming a U(2)$\to$U(1)$\otimes$U(1) symmetry-breaking phase transition at a critical $g_c^2$. First estimates for $g^{-2}a$ and critical exponents are presented, showing small but significant departures from mean-field values. The results confirm that a symmetry-breaking transition does exist and therefore the critical number of flavors for the Thirring model $N_c > 1$. Results for both condensate and associated susceptibility are also obtained in the broken phase on $16^3\times48$, suggesting that here the $L_s\to\infty$ extrapolation is not yet under control. We also present results obtained with the associated 2+1$d$ truncated overlap operator DOL demonstrating exponential localisation, a necessary condition for the recovery of U(2) global symmetry, but that recovery of the Ginsparg-Wilson condition as $L_s\to\infty$ is extremely slow in the broken phase.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2020

Dense 2-color QCD towards continuum and chiral limits

We study two-color QCD with two flavors of Wilson fermion as a function of quark chemical potential mu and temperature T, for two different lattice spacings and two different quark masses. We find that the quarkyonic region, where the behaviour of the quark number density and the diquark condensate are described by a Fermi sphere of almost free quarks distorted by a BCS gap, extends to larger chemical potentials with decreasing lattice spacing or quark mass. In both cases, the quark number density also approaches its non-interacting value. The pressure at low temperature is found to approach the Stefan-Boltzmann limit from below.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2019

Spectral quantities in thermal QCD: a progress report from the FASTSUM collaboration

In order to study spectral quantities in thermal QCD, the FASTSUM collaboration employs anisotropic lattice simulations with N_f=2+1 flavours of Wilson fermions. Here we discuss our Generation 2 and Generation 2L ensembles, which differ in the pion mass. The focus is on observables related to the light quarks and chiral symmetry restoration.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2019

Hyperons in thermal QCD from the lattice

We study the spectrum of light baryons and hyperons as a function of temperature using lattice gauge theory methods. We find that masses of positive parity states are temperature independent, within errors, in the hadronic phase. The negative parity states decrease in mass as the temperature increases. Above the deconfining temperature, lattice correlators and spectral functions show a degeneracy between parity sectors, i.e. parity doubling. We apply our findings to an in-medium Hadron Resonance Gas model. The techniques used in this study include direct analysis of the hadronic correlation functions, conventional fitting procedures, and the Maximum Entropy Method.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2019

On the Critical Flavor Number in the 2+1$d$ Thirring Model

The Thirring model in 2+1 spacetime dimensions, in which $N$ flavors of relativistic fermion interact via a contact interaction between conserved fermion currents, is studied using lattice field theory simulations employing domain wall fermions, which furnish the correct U(2N) global symmetry in the limit that the wall separation $L_s\to\infty$. Attention is focussed on the issue of spontaneous symmetry breakdown via a non-vanishing fermion bilinear condensate $\langle\barψψ\rangle\not=0$. Results from quenched simulations are presented demonstrating that a non-zero condensate does indeed form over a range of couplings, provided simulation results are first extrapolated to the $L_s\to\infty$ limit. Next, results from simulations with $N=1$ using an RHMC algorithm demonstrate that U(2) symmetry is unbroken at weak coupling but plausibly broken at strong coupling. Correlators of mesons with spin zero are consistent with the Goldstone spectrum expected from U(2)$\to$U(1)$\otimes$U(1). We infer the existence of a symmetry-breaking phase transition at some finite coupling, and combine this with previous simulation results to deduce that the critical number of flavors for the existence of a quantum critical point in the Thirring model satisfies $0 1$.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2018

Joint Contour Net analysis of lattice QCD data

Lattice Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) is an approach used by theoretical physicists to model the strong nuclear force. This works at the sub-nuclear scale to bind quarks together into hadrons including the proton and neutron. One of the long term goals in lattice QCD is to produce a phase diagram of QCD matter as thermodynamic control parameters temperature and baryon chemical potential are varied. The ability to predict critical points in the phase diagram, known as phase transitions, is one of the on-going challenges faced by domain scientists. In this work we consider how multivariate topological visualisation techniques can be applied to simulation data to help domain scientists predict the location of phase transitions. In the process it is intended that applying these techniques to lattice QCD will strengthen the interpretation of output from multivariate topological algorithms, including the joint contour net. Lattice QCD presents an interesting opportunity for using these techniques as it offers a rich array of interacting scalar fields for analysis; however, it also presents unique challenges due to its reliance on quantum mechanics to interpret the data.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2018

Hadronic spectrum calculations in the quark-gluon plasma

A status report on FASTSUM's programme of computing spectral quantities in thermal QCD, using anisotropic lattice simulations with $N_f=2+1$ flavours of Wilson fermions, is given. We provide in particular some details of the next generation of ensembles, which is currently being finalised, and give preliminary results for susceptibilities and baryonic correlators on those ensembles.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2017

Medium effects and parity doubling of hyperons across the deconfinement phase transition

We analyse the behaviour of hyperons with strangeness $S=-1$,$-2$,$-3$ in the hadronic and quark gluon plasma phases, with particular interest in parity doubling and its emergence as the temperature grows. This study uses our FASTSUM anisotropic $N_f\!\!=$~2+1 ensembles, with four temperatures below and four above the deconfinement transition temperature, $T_c$. The positive-parity groundstate masses are found to be largely temperature independent below $T_c$, whereas the negative-parity ones decrease considerably as the temperature increases. Close to the transition, the masses are almost degenerate, in line with the expectation from chiral symmetry restoration. This may be of interest for heavy-ion phenomenology. In particular we show an application of this effect to the Hadron Resonance Gas model. A clear signal of parity doubling is found above $T_c$ in all hyperon channels, with the strength of the effect depending on the number of $s$-quarks in the baryons.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2017

Baryons in the plasma: in-medium effects and parity doubling

We investigate the fate of baryons made out of u, d and s quarks in the hadronic gas and the quark-gluon plasma, using nonperturbative lattice simulations, employing the FASTSUM anisotropic Nf=2+1 ensembles. In the confined phase a strong temperature dependence is seen in the masses of the negative-parity groundstates, while the positive-parity groundstate masses are approximately temperature independent, within the error. At high temperature parity doubling emerges. A noticeable effect of the heavier s quark is seen. We give a simple description of the medium-dependent masses for the negative-parity states and speculate on the relevance for heavy-ion phenomenology via the hadron resonance gas.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2017

Numerical study of the $2+1d$ Thirring model with U($2N$)-invariant fermions

In 2+1 dimensions the global U($2N$) symmetry associated with massless Dirac fermions is broken to U($N)\otimes$U($N$) by a parity-invariant mass. I will show how to adapt the domain wall formulation to recover the U($2N$)-invariant limit in interacting fermion models as the domain wall separation is increased. In particular, I will focus on the issue of potential dynamical mass generation in the Thirring model, postulated to take place for $N$ less than some critical $N_c$. I will present results of simulations of the model using both HMC ($N=2$) and RHMC ($N=1$) algorithms, and show that the outcome is very different from previous numerical studies of the model made with staggered fermions, where the corresponding pattern of symmetry breaking is distinct.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2017

Light baryons below and above the deconfinement transition: medium effects and parity doubling

We study what happens to the Nucleon, Delta and Omega baryons in the hadronic gas and the quark-gluon plasma, with particular interest in parity doubling and its emergence as the plasma is heated. This is done using simulations of lattice QCD, employing the FASTSUM anisotropic Nf=2+1 ensembles, with four temperatures below and four above the deconfinement transition temperature. Below Tc we find that the positive-parity groundstate masses are largely temperature independent, whereas the negative-parity ones are reduced considerably as the temperature increases. This may be of interest for heavy-ion phenomenology. Close to the transition, the masses are nearly degenerate, in line with the expectation from chiral symmetry restoration. Above Tc we find a clear signal of parity doubling in all three channels, with the effect of the heavier s quark visible.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2016

Parity doubling of nucleons, Delta and Omega baryons across the deconfinement phase transition

In this work we analyse positive- and negative-parity channels for the nucleon (spin $1/2$ octet), $Δ$ and $Ω$ baryons (spin $3/2$ decuplet) using lattice QCD. In Nature, at zero temperature, chiral symmetry is spontaneously broken, causing positive- and negative-parity ground states to have different masses. However, chiral symmetry is expected to be restored (for massless quarks) around the crossover temperature, implying that the two opposite parity channels should become degenerate. Here we study what happens in a temperature range which includes both the hadronic and the quark gluon plasma (QGP) phase. By analysing the correlation and spectral functions via exponential fits and the Maximum Entropy Method respectively, we have found parity doubling for the nucleon and $Δ$ baryon channels in the QGP phase. For the $Ω$ baryon we see a clear signal of parity doubling at the crossover temperature, which is however not complete, due to the nonzero strange quark mass. Moreover, in-medium effects in the hadronic phase are evident for all three baryons, in particular for the negative-parity ground states. This might have implications for the hadron resonance gas model. In this work we used the FASTSUM anisotropic $N_f = 2 + 1$ ensembles.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2016

Parity doubling of nucleons and Delta baryons across the deconfinement phase transition

At zero temperature the negative-parity ground states of the nucleon and delta baryons are non-degenerate with the positive-parity partners due to spontaneous breaking of chiral symmetry. However, chiral symmetry is expected to be restored at sufficiently high temperature, in particular when going from the hadronic to the quark-gluon plasma (QGP) phase. This would imply that channels with opposite parity become degenerate. We study the nucleon (spin $1/2$) and $Δ$ (spin $3/2$) baryons in both parity sectors using lattice QCD. The range of temperatures spans both the hadronic and QGP phases. Using the FASTSUM anisotropic $N_f = 2 + 1$ ensembles, we analyze the correlation functions and the spectral functions using respectively exponential fits and the Maximum Entropy Method. We find clear evidence of in-medium effects in the hadronic phase, especially for the negative-parity ground state, and of parity doubling in the QGP phase.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2016

Towards Critical Physics in 2+1d with U(2N)-Invariant Fermions

Interacting theories of N relativistic fermion flavors in reducible spinor representations in 2+1 spacetime dimensions are formulated on a lattice using domain wall fermions (DWF), for which a U(2N) global symmetry is recovered in the limit that the wall separation $L_s$ is made large. The Gross-Neveu (GN) model is studied in the large-N limit and an exponential acceleration of convergence to the large-$L_s$ limit is demonstrated if the usual parity-invariant mass $m\barψψ$ is replaced by the U(2N)-equivalent $im_3\barψγ_3ψ$. The GN model and two lattice variants of the Thirring model are simulated for N = 2 using a hybrid Monte Carlo algorithm, and studies made of the symmetry-breaking bilinear condensate and its associated susceptibility, the axial Ward identity, and the mass spectrum of both fermion and meson excitations. Comparisons are made with existing results obtained using staggered fermions. For the GN model a symmetry-breaking phase transition is observed, the Ward identity is recovered, and the spectrum found to be consistent with large-N expectations. There appears to be no obstruction to the study of critical UV fixed-point physics using DWF. For the Thirring model the Ward identity is not recovered, the spectroscopy measurements are inconclusive, and no symmetry breaking is observed all the way up to the effective strong coupling limit. This is consistent with a critical Thirring flavor number $N_c<2$, contradicting earlier staggered fermion results.

hep-lat↗