Strong coupling expansions for the mass gap in lattice gauge theories

We derive strong coupling expansions for the mass gap in euclidean lattice gauge theories in any space-time dimension. For gauge groups SU(2), SU(3), Z₂ and Z₃ the series are calculated up to order g^?16. They are used to get rough estimates for the lowest glueball mass in continuum SU(2) and SU(3) gauge theories, assuming a sudden crossover from strong to weak coupling behaviour in the lattice theory.     

Transition from strong to weak coupling in SU(N) lattice gauge theories

A possible explanation is proposed for the crossover from strong to weak coupling region in SU(N) lattice gauge theories. We predict the pointswhere the crossover takes place for all SU(N)M: For example, g² ≈ 2.0 for SU(2), g² ≈ 1.0 for SU(3) and lim_N→∞Ng²(SU(N) ≈ 2.0.     

Variational method in hamiltonian lattice gauge theories

A general expression for the expectation value of the hamiltonian of a d + 1 dimensional lattice gauge theory as a function of the norm of the variational state (that itself has the form of a partition function of a d-dimensional lattice gauge theory) is given. Applications include U(1), SU(2), U(2) and U(N) gauge theories for large N in d = 2 + 1 dimensions. It is also demonstrated that the deconfining phase transition is of first order in every dimension above the critical one, provided it is of first or second order at the critical dimension.     

Strong-coupling expansions for the off-axis glueball masses

Strong-coupling expansions, up to order g^?4, for the off-axis glueball masses are developed in four-dimensional spacetime for lattice gauge theories with gauge groups SU(2), SU(3), Z₂, Z₃. Glueball mass spectra for the states 0⁺⁺, 2⁺⁺, 1^+? are obtained. Restoration of Lorentz invariance is discussed.     

Gauge theories on a small lattice

We present exact solutions to U(1), SU(2), and SU(3) lattice gauge theories on a Kogut-Susskind lattice consisting of a single plaquette. We demonstrate precise equivalence between the U(1) theory and the harmonic oscillator on an infinite one-dimensional lattice, and between the SU(N) theory and anN-fermion Schrödinger equation.     

Zeroing in on SU(3)

We present an improved numerical method for calculating the density of states for lattice field theories. We use it to study the SU(3) pure gauge theory at both zero and finite temperature. We also compute strong and weak coupling expansions for the density of states and find excellent agreement with our data. Using a specially developed algorithm for solving high-order polynomials, we find the zeroes of the partition function. For lattices with L_t = 2, we test the finite-size scaling prediction for the rounding of the transition by following the motion of these zeroes for L_s=6, 8, 10, and 12. We find that the correlation length exponent is 1/v = 3.02 ± 0.05, in excellent agreement with the value d=3 expected for a first-order deconfinement transition.     

Monte Carlo calculation of SU(2) glueball states with Symanzik's tree-level improved action

With the tree-level improved 4d SU(2) lattice gauge theory we carry out a Monte Carlo calculation of the spectrum. We find a scaling window for the 0⁺ state, leading to m(0⁺) ≈ 53 Λ^TI_L. Results for the 2⁺ state are somewhat inconclusive but also consistent with scaling.     

SU(2) ⊗ U(1) gauge theories of the generalized σ model for π0, η, η' → γγ decays

By embedding the chiral current-mixing gauge theories in the SU(2)_L ? SU(2)_R generalized σ model, it is shown that the correct sign and magnitude for π⁰ → γγ decay, as well as the SU(3) relation of π⁰, η, η' → γγ decays can be obtained within the framework of SU(2) ? U(1) gauge theories of weak and electromagnetic interactions.     

Vortex free energy and string tension at strong and intermediate coupling

We present results of high temperature expansions up to order g^?24 for the vortex free energy respectively string tension in pure lattice gauge theories with gauge groups SU(2) and Z₂ in 3 and 4 dimensions. For SU(2) in 4 dimensions the result is compared with Monte Carlo calculations of Creutz and is in good agreement. An intermediate coupling region is seen, where the string tension smoothly interpolates between strong coupling and weak coupling behaviour.     

String tensions of SU(3) gauge theory on a random lattice

The SU(3) gauge theory on a random lattice is studied using the Monte Carlo method. The string tensions are measured. A scaling window around g₀⁻² = 1.4 is detected and the scale parameter is estimated.     

Comparing O(N) and SU(N) × SU(N) spin systems in 1 + 1 dimensions to SU(N) gauge theories in 3 + 1 dimensions

We have computed the scale breaking Λ parameters of the euclidean and hamiltonian formulations of the lattice regulated O(N) and SU(N) × SU(N) spin systems in 1 + 1 dimensions in terms of the Λ_PV parameters of the Pauli-Villars regulated continuum models. Using lattice perturbation theory, the renormalized mass gap has been determined in terms of Λ_PV for each model. These results are compared to analogous calculations in SU(N) gauge theories.     

A study of the bulk phase transitions of the SU(2) lattice gauge theory with mixed action

Using the finite size scaling theory, we reexamine the nature of the bulk phase transition in the fundamental-adjoint coupling plane of the SU(2) lattice gauge theory at β_A = 1.25 where previous finite size scaling investigations of the deconfinement phase transition showed it to be of first order for temporal lattices with four sites. Our simulations on N⁴ lattices with N = 6, 8, 10, 12 and 16 show an absence of a first order bulk phase transition. We find the discontinuity in the average plaquette to decrease approximately linearly with N. Correspondingly, the plaquette susceptibility grows a lot slower with the 4-volume of the lattice than expected from a first order bulk phase transition.     

Spectrum of lattice gauge theories with fermions from a 1/d expansion at strong coupling

We study the strong coupling limit of U(N) or SU(N) gauge theories with fermions on a lattice. The integration over the gauge and fermion degrees of freedom is performed by analytic methods, leading to a partition function in terms of localized meson and baryon fields. A method for deriving a systematic expansion in the inverse of the space-time dimension of the corresponding Green functions is developed. It is applied to the study of spontaneous breakdown of chiral symmetry, which occurs for any U(N) or SU(N) theory with fermions in the fundamental representation. Meson and baryon spectra are then computed, and found to be in close agreement with those obtained by numerical methods at finite coupling. The pion decay constant is estimated.     

The glueball mass spectrum in QCD: First results of a lattice Monte Carlo calculation

We perform a variational calculation of the masses of glueballs of various spins and parities in SU(2) gauge theory. The quantum vacuum we use is generated by the lattice Monte Carlo technique. Our first results, obtained on medium sized lattices give m(0⁺) = (3.6 ± 0.35) Λ_mom, m(0^? = (6.0 ± 1.0)Λ_mom, m(2⁺) = (6.5^+1.8_?1.1)Λ_mom, various mass upper bounds and information on glueball wave functions.     

Gauged N = 8 supergravity in five dimensions

We construct gauged N = 8 supergravity theories in five dimensions. Instead of the twenty-seven vector fields of the ungauged theory, the gauged theories contain fifteen vector fields and twelve second-rank antisymmetric tensor fields satisfying self-dual field equations. The fifteen vector fields can be used to gauge any of the fifteen-dimensional semisimple subgroups of SL(6,R), specially SO(p, 6?p) for p = 0, 1, 2, 3. The gauged theories also have a physical global SU(1,1) symmetry which survives from the E₆₍₆₎ symmetry of the ungauged theory. This SU(1,1) for the SO(6) gauging is presumably related to that of the chiral N = 2 theory in ten dimensions. In our formalism we maintain a composite local USp(8) symmetry analogous to SU(8) in four dimensions.     

Upper bound estimate for the Higgs mass from the lattice regularized Weinberg-Salam model

There are indications that, as a consequence of the trivality of the scalar φ⁴ theory, the Weinberg-Salam model is massive free field theory. However, considering theWS model as an effective field theory, an upper bound for the Higgs mass can exist. We have studied this phenomenon by simulating the SU(2) gauge Higgs model on a lattice. The results indicate that R_max = m_H/m_W|_max = 9.3 ± 1. However, serious finite size effects make it unfeasible to explore the region m_H ⩽ Λ_cutoff with Monte Carlo simulation.     

How well do Monte Carlo simulations distinguish between U(1) and SU(2)?: A study of the string tension in U(1) lattice gauge theory

To investigate how a system with a known deconfining phase transition behaves when studied on finite lattices via Monte Carlo simulations, we have made such studies of compact U(1) lattice gauge theory for 8⁴, 10⁴, and 12⁴ lattices. We have concentrated on the mean plaquette energy and the string tension. The string tension does not vanish on a finite lattice, but using finite size scaling arguments the indications are that it does vanish on an infinite lattice, where we predict the critical coupling β_c = 1.008 and the correlation length exponent $\text{ν =}\text{1}\text{3}$. We compare our results to those for SU(2) and find that although there are differences, they are not yet definitive.     

Monte Carlo studies of SU(N)/ZN lattice gauge theories in four dimensions

Using Monte Carlo techniques on a four-dimensional space-time lattice, we study SU(N)/Z_N gauge theories for N = 3, 4, 5 and 6. We find first-order phase transitions at critical inverse temperatures of β_c = 6.40, 12.0, 19.5 and 32.0 and SU(3)/Z₃,SU(4)/Z₄,SU(5)/Z₅and SU (6)Z₆, respectively.     

Early unification and the Weinberg angle in the SU(4)4 grand unified model

In the framework of the grand unified gauge group SU(4)⁴ we discuss possibilities to reconcile the low unification scale (10⁵?10⁷ GeV) with the acceptable value of sin²θ_w. We consider various specific models which differ by the values of the intermediate mass scale, the choice of the fermion multiplets and by the embedding of the electroweak group SU(2) into SU(4)⁴. The class of theories with early unification and correct sin²θ_w is constructed. They all predict new non-sequential fermions which are SU(2)_L,R singlets and have unconventional electric charges. Cosmological implications of such theories are discussed and it is argued that new particles may well account for the positive results of searches for fractional charge in terrestrial matter.     

Proton decay in supersymmetric models

We discuss proton decay in supersymmetric theories. We find that it is possible to obtain rates which are comparable with those of standard SU(5). In the presence of a discrete symmetry which occurs in an SU(5) supersymmetric unified model we obtain a definite prediction for the dominant decay mode, i.e. p → K^+?ν_μ and n → K^0?ν_μ.