U(1) gauge theory on a torus

U(1) gauge theory with the Villain action on a cubic lattice approximation of three- and four-dimensional torus is considered. As the lattice spacing approaches zero, provided the coupling constant correspondingly approaches zero, the naturally chosen correlation functions converge to the correlation functions of theR-gauge electrodynamics on three- and four-dimensional torus. When the torus radius tends to infinity these correlation functions converge to the correlation functions of theR-gauge Euclidean electrodynamics.Supported by the Russian Foundation of Fundamental Researches under Grant 93-011-147     

Reflection positivity and graviton doubling in Euclidean lattice gravity

Lattice Euclidean quantum gravity, formulated in analogy to the usual gauge theories, is considered. We prove that positivity is satisfied only for a special set of quantities which, however, in the continuum limit furnish the expectation values of the closed loops and correlation functions thereof. We work out the perturbative limit by expanding around a flat background in order to examine the particle content of the theory. A doubling phenomenon (analogous to the doubling of lattice chiral fermions) appears; such a phenomenon is shown to be of general nature for a class of lattice formulations of gravity.     

Stochastic models for lattice gauge theories

Stochastic equations are derived which describe the (Euclidean) time evolution of lattice field configurations, with and without fermions, on a three-dimensional space lattice. It is indicated how the drifts and transition functions may be obtained as asymptotic solutions of a differential equation or from a ground state ansatz. For non-Abelian gauge fields (without fermions) a ground state is constructed which is an exact eigenstate of a Hamiltonian with the same (naive) continuum limit as the Kogut-Susskind Hamiltonian. It is described how Euclidean correlations (like the Wilson loop) are obtained from the stochastic equations and how mass gaps may be obtained from the technique of exit times.     

Extraction of spectral functions from Dyson-Schwinger studies via the maximum entropy method

It is shown how to apply the Maximum Entropy Method (MEM) to numerical Dyson-Schwinger studies for the extraction of spectral functions of correlators from their corresponding Euclidean propagators. Differences to the application in lattice QCD are emphasized and, as an example, the spectral functions of massless quarks in cold and dense matter are presented.     

The Baxter model and scale invariant field theory

We investigate the Baxter model and its special case, the two-dimensional Ising model, within the hypothesis of an underlying scale invariant field theory. The translation of the Euclidean lattice expressions for physical operators (spinors, etc.) and pairs of the spin (order), disorder variables of the Ising model to corresponding expressions in terms of relativistic Majorana fields is carried out. All order, disorder correlation functions can be easily computed from the relativistic formulas. The generalization of such correlation functions to the Baxter model is obtained by switching on an energy-energy interaction between two Ising models. The energy-energy coupling turns out to be the Thirring coupling when linear combinations Ψ = Ψ_I + iΨ_II of Majorana fields are introduced. The critical indices α, ν, , γ and β are determined from the correlation functions and are seen to be consistent with the scaling picture.     

The FKG inequality for the Yukawa2 quantum field theory

We establish the FKG correlation inequality for the Euclidean scalar Yukawa₂ quantum field model and, when the Fermi mass is zero, for pseudoscalar Yukawa₂. To do so we approximate the quantum field model by a lattice spin system and show that the FKG inequality for this system follows from a positivity condition on the fundamental solution of the Euclidean Dirac equation with external field. We prove this positivity condition by applying the Vekua-Bers theory of generalized analytic functions.Research partially supported by the National Research Council of Canada.Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellow.     

Snyder space revisited

We examine basis functions on momentum space for the three-dimensional Euclidean Snyder algebra. We argue that the momentum space is isomorphic to the SO(3) group manifold, and that the basis functions span either one of two Hilbert spaces. This implies the existence of two distinct lattice structures of space. Continuous rotations and translations are unitarily implementable on these lattices.     

A nonperturbative foundation of the Euclidean–Minkowskian duality of Wilson-loop correlation functions

In this Letter we discuss the analyticity properties of the Wilson-loop correlation functions relevant to the problem of soft high-energy scattering, directly at the level of the functional integral, in a genuinely nonperturbative way. The strategy is to start from the Euclidean theory and to push the dependence on the relevant variables θ (the relative angle between the loops) and T (the half-length of the loops) into the action by means of a field and coordinate transformation, and then to allow them to take complex values. In particular, we determine the analyticity domain of the relevant Euclidean correlation function, and we show that the corresponding Minkowskian quantity is recovered with the usual double analytic continuation in θ and T inside this domain. The formal manipulations of the functional integral are justified making use of a lattice regularisation. The new rescaled action so derived could also be used directly to get new insights (from first principles) in the problem of soft high-energy scattering.     

A new proof of the existence and nontriviality of the continuum ϕ 2 4 and ϕ 3 4 quantum field theories

We use Schwinger-Dyson equations combined with rigorous “perturbation-theoretic” correlation inequalities to give a new and extremely simple proof of the existence and nontriviality of the weakly-coupled continuum ? ₂ ⁴ and ? ₃ ⁴ quantum field theories, constructed as subsequence limits of lattice theories. We prove an asymptotic expansion to order λ or λ² for the correlation functions and for the mass gap. All Osterwalder-Schrader axioms are satisfied except perhaps Euclidean (rotation) invariance.     

Emergent gravity in two dimensions

We explore models with emergent gravity and metric by means of numerical simulations. A particular type of two-dimensional non-linear sigma-model is regularized and discretized on a quadratic lattice. It is characterized by lattice diffeomorphism invariance which ensures in the continuum limit the symmetry of general coordinate transformations. We observe a collective order parameter with properties of a metric, showing Minkowski or Euclidean signature. The correlation functions of the metric reveal an interesting long-distance behavior with power-like decay. This universal critical behavior occurs without tuning of parameters and thus constitutes an example of “self-tuned criticality” for this type of sigma-models. We also find a non-vanishing expectation value of a “zweibein” related to the “internal” degrees of freedom of the scalar field, again with long-range correlations. The metric is well described as a composite of the zweibein. A scalar condensate breaks Euclidean rotation symmetry.     

Single-site- and single-atom-resolved measurement of correlation functions

Correlation functions play an important role for the theoretical and experimental characterization of many-body systems. In solid-state systems, they are usually determined through scattering experiments, whereas in cold gases systems, time-of-flight, and in situ absorption imaging are the standard observation techniques. However, none of these methods allow the in situ detection of spatially resolved correlation functions at the single-particle level. Here, we give a more detailed account of recent advances in the detection of correlation functions using in situ fluorescence imaging of ultracold bosonic atoms in an optical lattice. This method yields single-site- and single-atom-resolved images of the lattice gas in a single experimental run, thus gaining direct access to fluctuations in the many-body system. As a consequence, the detection of correlation functions between an arbitrary set of lattice sites is possible. This enables not only the detection of two-site correlation functions but also the evaluation of non-local correlations, which originate from an extended region of the system and are used for the characterization of quantum phases that do not possess (quasi-)long-range order in the traditional sense.     

Restless pions: Orbifold boundary conditions and noise suppression in lattice QCD

The study of one or more baryons in lattice QCD is severely hindered by the exponential decay in time of the signal-to-noise ratio. The rate at which the signal-to-noise decreases is a function of the pion mass. More precisely, it depends on the minimum allowed pion energy in the box, which, for periodic boundary conditions, is equal to its mass. We propose a set of boundary conditions, given by a “parity orbifold” construction, which eliminates the zero momentum pion modes, raising the minimum pion energy and thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio of (multi)-baryon correlation functions at long Euclidean times. We discuss variations of these “restless pions” boundary conditions and focus on their impact on the study of nuclear forces.     

Gauge-invariant charged,monopole and dyon fields in gauge theories

We propose explicit recipes to construct the Euclidean Green functions of gauge-invariant charged, monopole and dyon fields in four-dimensional gauge theories whose phase diagram contains phases with deconfined electric and/or magnetic charges. In theories with only either abelian electric or magnetic charges, our construction is an Euclidean version of Dirac's original proposal, the magnetic dual of his proposal, respectively. Rigorous mathematical control is achieved for a class of abelian lattice theories. In theories where electric and magnetic charges coexist, our construction of Green functions of electrically or magnetically charged fields involves taking an average over Mandelstam strings or the dual magnetic flux tubes, in accordance with Dirac's flux quantization condition. We apply our construction to 't Hooft-Polyakov monopoles and Julia-Zee dyons. Connections between our construction and the semiclassical approach are discussed.     

Factorization of correlation functions and the replica limit of the Toda lattice equation

Exact microscopic spectral correlation functions are derived by means of the replica limit of the Toda lattice equation. We consider both Hermitian and non-Hermitian theories in the Wigner–Dyson universality class (class A) and in the chiral universality class (class AIII). In the Hermitian case we rederive two-point correlation functions for class A and class AIII as well as several one-point correlation functions in class AIII. In the non-Hermitian case the average spectral density of non-Hermitian complex random matrices in the weak non-Hermiticity limit is obtained directly from the replica limit of the Toda lattice equation. In the case of class A, this result describes the spectral density of a disordered system in a constant imaginary vector potential (the Hatano–Nelson model) which is known from earlier work. New results are obtained for the average spectral density in the weak non-Hermiticity limit of a quenched chiral random matrix model at non-zero chemical potential. These results apply to the ergodic or ϵ domain of the quenched QCD partition function at non-zero chemical potential. Our results have been checked against numerical results obtained from a large ensemble of random matrices. The spectral density obtained is different from the result derived by Akemann for a closely related model, which is given by the leading order asymptotic expansion of our result. In all cases, the replica limit of the Toda lattice equation explains the factorization of spectral one- and two-point functions into a product of a bosonic (non-compact integral) and a fermionic (compact integral) partition function. We conclude that the fermionic partition functions, the bosonic partition functions and the supersymmetric partition function are all part of a single integrable hierarchy. This is the reason that it is possible to obtain the supersymmetric partition function, and its derivatives, from the replica limit of the Toda lattice equation.     

A Local-Realistic Model of Quantum Mechanics Based on a Discrete Spacetime

This paper presents a realistic, stochastic, and local model that reproduces nonrelativistic quantum mechanics (QM) results without using its mathematical formulation. The proposed model only uses integer-valued quantities and operations on probabilities, in particular assuming a discrete spacetime under the form of a Euclidean lattice. Individual (spinless) particle trajectories are described as random walks. Transition probabilities are simple functions of a few quantities that are either randomly associated to the particles during their preparation, or stored in the lattice nodes they visit during the walk. QM predictions are retrieved as probability distributions of similarly-prepared ensembles of particles. The scenarios considered to assess the model comprise of free particle, constant external force, harmonic oscillator, particle in a box, the Delta potential, particle on a ring, particle on a sphere and include quantization of energy levels and angular momentum, as well as momentum entanglement.     

On the relationship between continuous time random walks and the non-equilibrium Ornstein-Zernike equation

An exact non-equilibrium Ornstein-Zernike (OZ) equation is derived for lattice fluid systems whose time development is given by a generalized master equation. The derivation is based on a generalization of the Montroll-Weiss continuous-time random walk on a lattice, and on their relationship with master equation solutions. Time dependent direct and total correlation functions are defined in terms of the generating functions for the probability densities of the random walker, such that, in the infinite time limit the equilibrium OZ equation is recovered. A perturbative analysis of the time dependent OZ equation is shown to be formally analogous to the perturbation of the Bloch equation in quantum field theory. Analytic results are obtained, under the mean spherical approximation, for the time dependent total correlation function for a one-dimensional lattice fluid with exponential attraction.     

Extraction of the resonance parameters at finite times

In this paper we propose a model-independent method to extract the resonance parameters on the lattice directly from the Euclidean 2-point correlation functions of the field operators at finite times. The method is tested in case of the two-point function of the Δ-resonance, calculated at one loop in Small Scale Expansion. Further, the method is applied to a 1+1$1+1$-dimensional model with two coupled Ising spins and the results are compared with earlier ones obtained by using Lüscher's approach.     

QCD sum rules,the spontaneous breakdown of chiral symmetry and short-distance behaviour in lattice gauge theories

We analyze the behaviour that correlation functions ought to have on the lattice in order to reproduce QCD sum rules in the continuum limit. We formulate a set of relations between lattice correlation functions of meson operators at small time separation and the quark condensates responsible for spontaneous breakdown of chiral symmetery. We suggest that the degree to which such relations are satisfied will provide a set of consistency checks on the ability of lattice Monte Carlo simulations to reproduce the correct spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking of the continuum theory.     

Gauge field theories on a lattice

We begin a rigorous, nonperturbative investigation of quantum field theories with local internal symmetries. We discuss the lattice approximation of Yang-Mills fields and of fermion fields in the Euclidean setup and we verify physical positivity for the Schwinger functions of these approximations. This implies the existence of a positive self-adjoint transfer matrix. We then prove existence and analyticity of the infinite volume limit of strongly coupled Yang-Mills theories on the lattice and we verify Wilson's confinement bound. Finally we present a rigorous treatment of the Higgs mechanism in lattice gauge theories.