arXiv2017
We consider a vectorial, asymptotically free SU($N_c$) gauge theory with $N_f$ fermions in a representation $R$ having an infrared (IR) fixed point. We calculate and analyze Padé approximants to scheme-independent series expansions for physical quantities at this IR fixed point, including the anomalous dimension, $γ_{\barψψ,IR}$, to $O(Δ_f^4)$, and the derivative of the beta function, $β'_{IR}$, to $O(Δ_f^5)$, where $Δ_f$ is an $N_f$-dependent expansion variable. We consider the fundamental, adjoint, and rank-2 symmetric tensor representations. The results are applied to obtain further estimates of $γ_{\barψψ,IR}$ and $β'_{IR}$ for several SU($N_c$) groups and representations $R$, and comparisons are made with lattice measurements. We apply our results to obtain new estimates of the extent of the respective non-Abelian Coulomb phases in several theories. For $R=F$, the limit $N_c \to \infty$ and $N_f \to \infty$ with $N_f/N_c$ fixed is considered. We assess the accuracy of the scheme-independent series expansion of $γ_{\barψψ,IR}$ in comparison with the exactly known expression in an ${\cal N}=1$ supersymmetric gauge theory. It is shown that an expansion of $γ_{\barψψ,IR}$ to $O(Δ_f^4)$ is quite accurate throughout the entire non-Abelian Coulomb phase of this supersymmetric theory.