Strong-coupling planar diagrams,random surfaces,and the large-N phase transition in U(N) lattice gauge theories

The strong-coupling expansion of U(N) gauge theory on a D-dimensional lattice is reformulated in the limit N → ∞ through a set of diagrammatic rules directly for the free energy and Wilson loops. The strong-coupling planar diagrams are interpreted as surfaces embedded in the lattice. The large-N phase transition is related to the entropy of these surfaces. It is shown that the strong-coupling phase of the U(∞) gauge theory terminates with a phase transition of Gross-Witten type only in 2 and 3 dimensions. When D⩾4 the large-N singularity takes place in a metastable phase because of an earlier first-order transition to the weak-coupling phase of the theory.     

A path-functional field theory of lattice gauge models and the large-N limit

We transform lattice gauge models to a theory of functional fields defined on a set of closed paths. Some relevant properties of the formalism are discussed in detail, with emphasis on symmetry and topological structure. We then investigate the large-N limit of the U(N) lattice gauge model in arbitrary dimensions using this formalism. Assuming the existence of the limit, we show, to arbitrary order of the strong coupling expansion parameter (g²N)^?, which is kept fixed, that for the leading contribution in the limit: (i) the flow of indices in color space can be represented by planar diagrams; (ii) when the diagrams are immersed in space-time they are random surfaces without handles; (iii) there are interactions of the surfaces which can be depicted as the formation of multisheet bubblesw in the surfaces. This formalism also makes it possible to set up a gauge-invariant mean-field approximation.     

Chiral gauge theories in the 1/N expansion

We study the large-N limit of various (SU(N) gauge theories with chiral fermion content. Assuming that the leading N → ∞ behavior is given by a sum of planar diagrams, we find that the gauge interactions must fail to confine color in some models. Other models, assuming both a planar diagram limit and confinement, must contain massless composite fermions.     

Spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking for a U(N) gauge theory on a lattice

We study the breakdown of chiral invariance by calculating, in the infinite coupling, large-N limit, the generating functional of a U(N) gauge theory with one fermion, expressed on a lattice with the naive, chiral symmetric action. We compute the link integral over the gauge fields and the expression obtained after the integration over the fermions is recast under the form of a generating functional for bosonic fields. Then, a saddle-point method allows the calculation of the order parameter $\text{〈}\text{ψ}\text{ψ〉}$ for which a non-zero value signals the spontaneous breakdown of chiral symmetry. The analysis of the fluctuations around the saddle point allows one to exhibit the Goldstone modes corresponding to those global symmetries of the fermionic lattice action which are simultaneously broken.     

The large-N deconfinement phase transition in a partially reduced Eguchi-Kawal model

We construct generalized twisted Eguchi-Kawai models which for large-N reduce space-time to a lattice of arbitrary size. Large-N lattice gauge theory at finite temperature is investigated in a model on a lattice with L₀ time slices and two lattice points in very time slice. We observe the large-N deconfinement phase transition in the weak coupling region. Assuming asymptotic scaling we find a transition temperature T_c = (101±4)Λ_L.     

The finite-temperature phase transition at infinite N

The finite-temperature breakdown of the global Z(N) symmetry of 3 + 1 dimensional lattice gauge theories is studied within the framework of a reduced, quenched, large-N model using both analytical and numerical methods.     

Progress in lattice gauge theory

Two topics of lattice gauge theory are reviewed. They include string tension and β-function calculations by strong coupling Hamiltonian methods for SU(3) gauge fields in 3 + 1 dimensions, and a 1/N-expansion for discrete gauge and spin systems in all dimensions. The SU(3) calculations give solid evidence for the coexistence of quark confinement and asymptotic freedom in the renormalized continuum limit of the lattice theory. The crossover between weak and strong coupling behavior in the theory is seen to be a weak coupling but non-perturbative effect. Quantitative relationships between perturbative and non-perturbative renormalization schemes are obtained for the O(N) nonlinear sigma models in 1 + 1 dimensions as well as the range theory in 3 + 1 dimensions. Analysis of the strong coupling expansion of the β-function for gauge fields suggests that it has cuts in the complex 1/g²-plane. A toy model of such a cut structure which naturally explains the abruptness of the theory's crossover from weak to strong coupling is presented. The relation of these cuts to other approaches to gauge field dynamics is discussed briefly.The dynamics underlying first order phase transitions in a wide class of lattice gauge theories is exposed by considering a class of models-P(N) gauge theories - which are soluble in the N → ∞ limit and have non-trivial phase diagrams. The first order character of the phase transitions in Potts spin systems for N #62; 4 in 1 + 1 dimensions is explained in simple terms which generalizes to P(N) gauge systems in higher dimensions. The phase diagram of Ising lattice gauge theory coupled to matter fields is obtained in a $\text{1}\text{N}$ expansion. A one-plaquette model (1 time-0 space dimensions) with a first-order phase transitions in the N → ∞ limit is discussed.     

Momentum-space Monte Carlo

Using the quenched, reduced form of large-N field theories, we show that it is possible to directly measure momentum-space Green functions, via Monte Carlo, without going through the intermediate step of measurement in position space plus Fourier transformation. This promises to be useful tool for investigating the infrared structure of planar field theories. As an application (and test) of the method, we compute mass-gaps in the quenched U(N) × U(N) lattice chiral model, in D = 1 and 2 dimensions.     

The large-N phase transition in the U(N) chiral models

We prove the existence of a large-N phase transition in the d = 2 chiral model and calculate via strong-coupling methods the phase-transition point. The critical coupling constant is 0.324. We also treat the chiral model chains (equivalent to the gauge model on polyhedrons) and our approximate calculations come very close to the exact results for the solvable cases.     

Path integral approach to the large-N expansion of the two-dimensional U(N) QCD

We use path integral method for the large-N expansion of the two-dimensional U(N) QCD in the light-cone gauge. We derive the 't Hooft equation for the quark-antiquark bound states from the quadratic part of the expansion. We also derive the effective interactions of the mesons from the higher-order terms of the expansion.     

Liquid–gas and other unusual thermal phase transitions in some large-N magnets

Much insight into the low temperature properties of quantum magnets has been gained by generalizing them to symmetry groups of order N, and then studying the large-N limit. In this paper we consider an unusual aspect of their finite temperature behavior—their exhibiting a phase transition between a perfectly paramagnetic state and a paramagnetic state with a finite correlation length at N=∞. We analyze this phenomenon in some detail in the large “spin” (classical) limit of the SU(N) ferromagnet which is also a lattice discretization of the CP^N−1 model. We show that at N=∞ the order of the transition is governed by lattice connectivity. At finite values of N, the transition goes away in one or less dimension but survives on many lattices in two dimensions and higher, for sufficiently large N. The latter conclusion contradicts a recent conjecture of Sokal and Starinets [Nucl. Phys. B 601 (2001) 425], yet is consistent with the known finite temperature behavior of the SU(2) case. We also report closely related first order paramagnet–ferromagnet transitions at large N and shed light on a violation of Elitzur's theorem at infinite N via the large-q limit of the q state Potts model, reformulated as an Ising gauge theory.     

Axial-vector anomaly for Dirac-Kähler fermions on the lattice

The axial-vector current of Dirac-Kähler fermions on the lattice is studied. We consider a U(1) gauge theory in two dimensions as well as an SU(N) gauge theory in four dimensions. Using a short-distance expansion of the fermion propagator in an external gauge field, we show that the correct anomaly is reproduced in the continuum limit.     

Strong coupling versus large N in σ-models

We show that the lattice CP^(N?1) model does not have a phase transition at N = ∞, of the type proposed for SU(N) gauge theories, despite having instantons. It does, however, have non-commuting large-N and strong coupling expansions. This rather unique situation is associated with the screening properties of the model.     

Large-N universality of variant actions

Corrections to large-N universality in mixed action lattice gauge theories imply constraints on the cut-off dependence. We state the form of these constraints and show that they are satisfied up to and including two loops (weak coupling). This implies that the second coefficient of the β function on the lattice is indeed universal as expected. We then evaluate the complete form of the corrections to large-N universality up to and including two loops. They give a sizeable contribution and determine qualitative aspects of equal string tension data like the bending seen for SU(2).     

Wilson fermions in a two-dimensional model

Wilson's action for fermions on a lattice is compared to the continuum action in a model obtained from the chiral Gross-Neveu model by performing a chiral transformation. The local definition of the axial current leads to two anomalies unrelated by the constraint of Lorentz invariance. In the large-N limit, the mass counterterm of the action is determined; this term is unnecessary in the Osterwalder-Seiler regularization. An expansion in the fermion propagator and in the axial current coupling may be formulated and summed to all orders for large N.     

Factorisation in large-N limit of lattice gauge theories revisited

We prove using the Schwinger-Dyson equations that the factorisation property holds for all gauge-invariant Green’s function in the large-N limit of a Wilson-Polyakov lattice gauge theory.     

Approaching the large-N limit: A renormalization group approach to large-N field theories

A technique is developed for finding recursive solutions to field theories that take values in SU(N). The approach can be used as a method of solving the large-N limit as well as calculating finite-N effects. This is illustrated with examples of the anharmonic oscillator, SU(N) chiral model and two-dimensional lattice QCD.     

Abelian lattice gauge theories in 3 + 1 dimensions: The linked cluster approach

We use the linked cluster expansion methods of Nickel to derive strong couping series for Z_N abelian gauge theories. These new results together with corresponding estimates using the exact linked cluster expansion algorithm are analysed and compared with previously obtained results for U(1) lattice gauge theory in 3 + 1 dimensions. We confirm the phase structure of these theories as found by other techniques. The critical value of N at which the phase structure of Z_N alters is estimated to be N_C = 4.5 ± 0.2. In each case the string tension estimates using the ELCE algorithm are found to be stable in the presence of a roughening transition.