Mass Counterterms Research Articles

The Euclidean $\phi^{4}_{2}$ theory as a limit of an interacting Bose gas

We prove that the complex Euclidean field theory with local quartic self-interaction in two dimensions arises as a limit of an interacting Bose gas at positive temperature, when the density of the gas becomes large and the range of the interaction becomes small. The field theory is supported on distributions of negative regularity, which requires a renormalization by divergent mass and energy counterterms. We obtain convergence of the relative partition function and uniform convergence of the renormalized reduced density matrices. The proof is based on three main ingredients: (a) a quantitative analysis of the infinite-dimensional saddle point argument for the functional integral introduced by Fröhlich et al. (2022) using continuity properties of Brownian paths, (b) a Nelson-type estimate for a general nonlocal field theory in two dimensions, and (c) repeated Gaussian integration by parts in field space to obtain uniform control on the renormalized correlation functions. As a byproduct of our proof, in two and three dimensions we also extend the results on the mean-field limit by Fröhlich et al. (2022) and Lewin et al. (2021) to unbounded interaction potentials satisfying the optimal integrability conditions proposed by Bourgain (1997).

Replica evolution of classical fields in 4+1D spacetime toward real-time dynamics of quantum fields

Abstract Real-time evolution of replicas of classical fields is proposed as an approximate simulator of real-time quantum field dynamics at finite temperatures. We consider $N$ classical field configurations, $(\phi_{{\tau{\boldsymbol{x}}}},\pi_{{\tau{\boldsymbol{x}}}}) (\tau=0,1,\ldots, N-1)$, dubbed as replicas, which interact with each other via $\tau$-derivative terms and evolve with the classical equation of motion. The partition function of replicas is found to be proportional to that of a quantum field in the imaginary-time formalism. Since the replica index can be regarded as the imaginary-time index, replica evolution is technically the same as the molecular dynamics part of hybrid Monte Carlo sampling. Then the replica configurations should reproduce the correct quantum equilibrium distribution after long time evolution. At the same time, evolution of the replica-index average of field variables is described by the classical equation of motion when the fluctuations are small. In order to examine the real-time propagation properties of replicas, we first discuss replica evolution in quantum mechanics. Statistical averages of observables are precisely obtained by the initial condition average of replica evolution, and the time evolution of the unequal-time correlation function, $\langle x(t) x(t')\rangle$, in a harmonic oscillator is also described well by the replica evolution in the range $T/\omega > 0.5$. Next, we examine the statistical and dynamical properties of the $\phi^4$ theory in 4+1D spacetime, which contains three spatial, one replica index or imaginary time, and one real time. We note that the Rayleigh–Jeans divergence can be removed in replica evolution with $N \geq 2$ when the mass counterterm is taken into account. We also find that the thermal mass obtained from the unequal-time correlation function at zero momentum grows as a function of the coupling as in the perturbative estimate in the small coupling region.

Softly broken conformal symmetry with higher curvature terms

In a scalar-coupled-gravity model, the quadratically divergent counter term appearing in the mass renormalization of the scalar fields must inherit corrections arising out of gravitational interactions. In this work we have explicitly demonstrated that there are no such corrections of gravitational origin to the quadratic divergences in the mass counter terms. This statement holds true irrespective of the nature of the gravitational interaction, i.e., whether gravity is described by general relativity or f(R) theory. Interestingly, it also turns out that the one loop effective action of scalar-coupled-gravity system will be well-behaved \emph{if and only if} the $f(R)$ theory is free from ghosts. In particular, the results derived in the context of f(R) theory are shown to be in exact agreement with the corresponding results derived from the equivalent scalar-tensor representation. Our analysis suggests the tantalizing possibility that the masses of the scalar fields can be consistently kept smaller than some Ultra Violet (UV) cutoff scale and is independent of the nature of the gravity theory, which may involve higher curvature corrections. All these will be true provided the matter fields and the gravity theory can be embedded consistently into a UV complete theory at the Planck scale.

Two-loop HTL-resummed thermodynamics for mathcal{N} = 4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory

We compute the two-loop hard-thermal-loop (HTL) resummed thermodynamic potential for mathcal{N} = 4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills (SYM). Our final result is manifestly gauge-invariant and was renormalized using only simple vacuum energy, gluon mass, scalar mass, and quark mass counter terms. The HTL mass parameters mD, MD, and mq are then determined self-consistently using a variational prescription which results in a set of coupled gap equations. Based on this, we obtain the two-loop HTL-resummed thermodynamic functions of mathcal{N} = 4 SYM. We compare our final result with known results obtained in the weak- and strong-coupling limits. We also compare to previously obtained approximately self-consistent HTL resummations and Padé approximants. We find that the two-loop HTL resummed results for the scaled entropy density is a quantitatively reliable approximation to the scaled entropy density for 0 ≤ λ ≲ 2 and is in agreement with previous approximately self-consistent HTL resummation results for λ ≲ 6.

Computation of effective front form Hamiltonians for massive Abelian gauge theory

Renormalization group procedure for effective particles (RGPEP) is applied in terms of a second-order perturbative computation to an Abelian gauge theory, as an example of application worth studying on the way toward derivation of a dynamical connection between the spectroscopy of bound states and their parton-model picture in the front form of Hamiltonian dynamics. In addition to the ultraviolet transverse divergences that are handled using the RGPEP in previously known ways, the small-x divergences are handled by introducing a mass parameter and a third polarization state for gauge bosons using a mechanism analogous to spontaneous breaking of global gauge symmetry, in a special limit that simplifies the theory to Soper's front form of massive QED. The resulting orders of magnitude of scales involved in the dynamics of effective constituents or partons in the simplified theory are identified for the fermion and boson mass counter terms, effective masses and self-interactions, as well as for the Coulomb-like effective interactions in bound states of fermions. Computations in orders higher than second are mentioned but not described in this article.

The Hierarchy Problem and the Cosmological Constant Problem Revisited

We argue that the Standard Model (SM) in the Higgs phase does not suffer from a "hierarchy problem" and that similarly the "cosmological constant problem" resolves itself if we understand the SM as a low energy effective theory emerging from a cutoff-medium at the Planck scale. We actually take serious Veltman's "The Infrared - Ultraviolet Connection" addressing the issue of quadratic divergences and the related huge radiative correction predicted by the SM in the relationship between the bare and the renormalized theory, usually called "the hierarchy problem" and claimed that this has to be cured. We discuss these issues under the condition of a stable Higgs vacuum, which allows to extend the SM up to the Planck cutoff. The bare Higgs boson mass then changes sign below the Planck scale, such that the SM in the early universe is in the symmetric phase. The cutoff enhanced Higgs mass term as well as the quartically enhanced cosmological constant term provide a large positive dark energy which triggers the inflation of the early universe. Reheating follows via the decays of the four unstable heavy Higgs particles, predominantly into top-antitop pairs, which at this stage are still massless. Preheating is suppressed in SM inflation since in the symmetric phase bosonic decay channels are absent at tree level. The coefficients of the shift between bare and renormalized Higgs mass as well as of the shift between bare and renormalized vacuum energy density exhibit close-by zeros at about $7.7 \times 10^{14}$ GeV and $3.1 \times 10^{15}$ GeV, respectively. The zero of of the Higgs mass counter term triggers the electroweak phase transition from the low energy Higgs phase and to the symmetric phase above the transition point. The scenario highly favors to understand the SM and its main properties as a natural structure emerging at long distance.

Gauge dependence of tadpole and mass renormalization for a seesaw extended 2HDM

We study the gauge dependence of the neutrino mass renormalization in a two Higgs doublet model, that is extended with one singlet seesaw neutrino. This model gives only one light neutrino a mass at tree level, while the second light mass is generated at loop level via the interaction with the second Higgs doublet. At one loop level, one neutrino stays massless. We use multiplicative renormalization constants to define counterterms. The renormalized mass parameters are defined as the complex poles of the propagators, using the complex mass scheme for mass renormalization. With this setup, we analytically get the expressions for the neutrino mass counterterms and isolate the gauge dependent part. We show, how relating this gauge dependent part with the tadpole renormalization leads to gauge independent counterterm definitions, hence gauge independent bare masses for neutrinos.

High-order perturbative expansions in massless gauge theories with NSPT

We investigate the possibility of using numerical stochastic perturbation theory (NSPT) to probe high orders in the perturbative expansion of lattice gauge theories with massless Wilson fermions. Twisted boundary conditions are used to regularise the gauge zero-mode; the extension of these boundary conditions to include fermions in the fundamental representation requires to introduce a smell degree of freedom. Moreover, the mass of Wilson fermions is affected by an additive renormalisation: we study how to determine the mass counterterms consistently in finite volume. The knowledge of the critical masses will enable high-order perturbative computations in massless QCD, e.g. (as a first application) for the plaquette.

Analytic structure of QCD propagators in Minkowski space

Analytical functions for the propagators of QCD, including a set of chiral quarks, are derived by a one-loop massive expansion in the Landau gauge, deep in the infrared. By analytic continuation, the spectral functions are studied in Minkowski space, yielding a direct proof of positivity violation and confinement from first principles.The dynamical breaking of chiral symmetry is described on the same footing of gluon mass generation, providing a unified picture. While dealing with the exact Lagrangian, the expansion is based on massive free-particle propagators, is safe in the infrared and is equivalent to the standard perturbation theory in the UV. By dimensional regularization, all diverging mass terms cancel exactly without including mass counterterms that would spoil the gauge and chiral symmetry of the Lagrangian. Universal scaling properties are predicted for the inverse dressing functions and shown to be satisfied by the lattice data. Complex conjugated poles are found for the gluon propagator, in agreement with the i-particle scenario.

Tricritical points in a compactU(1)lattice gauge theory at strong coupling

Pure {\it compact} $U(1)$ lattice gauge theory exhibits a phase transition at gauge coupling $g \sim {\cal{O}}(1)$ separating a familiar weak coupling Coulomb phase, having free massless photons, from a strong coupling phase. However, the phase transition was found to be of first order, ruling out any nontrivial theory resulting from a continuum limit from the strong coupling side. In this work, a compact $U(1)$ lattice gauge theory is studied with addition of a dimension-two mass counterterm and a higher derivative (HD) term that ensures a unique vacuum and produces a covariant gauge-fixing term in the naive continuum limit. For a reasonably large coefficient of the HD term, now there exists a continuous transition from a regular ordered phase to a spatially modulated ordered phase. For weak gauge couplings, a continuum limit from the regular ordered phase results in a familiar theory consisting of free massless photons. For strong gauge couplings with $g\ge {\cal{O}}(1)$, this transition changes from first order to continuous as the coefficient of the HD term is increased, resulting in tricritical points which appear to be a candidate in this theory for a possible nontrivial continuum limit.

Analytical study of Yang–Mills theory in the infrared from first principles

Pure Yang–Mills SU(N) theory is studied in the Landau gauge and four dimensional space. While leaving the original Lagrangian unmodified, a double perturbative expansion is devised, based on a massive free-particle propagator. In dimensional regularization, all diverging mass terms cancel exactly in the double expansion, without the need to include mass counterterms that would spoil the symmetry of the Lagrangian. No free parameters are included that were not in the original theory, yielding a fully analytical approach from first principles. The expansion is safe in the infrared and is equivalent to the standard perturbation theory in the UV. At one-loop, explicit analytical expressions are given for the propagators and the running coupling and are found in excellent agreement with the data of lattice simulations. A universal scaling property is predicted for the inverse propagators and shown to be satisfied by the lattice data. Higher loops are found to be negligible in the infrared below 300 MeV where the coupling becomes small and the one-loop approximation is under full control.

Black hole mass dynamics and renormalization group evolution

We examine the real-time dynamics of a system of one or more black holes interacting with long wavelength gravitational fields. We find that the (classical) renormalizability of the effective field theory that describes this system necessitates the introduction of a time dependent mass counterterm, and consequently the mass parameter must be promoted to a dynamical degree of freedom. To track the time evolution of this dynamical mass, we compute the expectation value of the energy-momentum tensor within the in-in formalism, and fix the time dependence by imposing energy-momentum conservation. Mass renormalization induces logarithmic ultraviolet divergences at quadratic order in the gravitational coupling, leading to a new time-dependent renormalization group (RG) equation for the mass parameter. We solve this RG equation and use the result to predict heretofore unknown high order logarithms in the energy distribution of gravitational radiation emitted from the system.

Two-loop electroweak threshold corrections to the bottom and top Yukawa couplings

We study the relationship between the MS¯ Yukawa coupling and the pole mass for the bottom and top quarks at the two-loop electroweak order O(α2) in the gaugeless limit of the standard model. We also consider the MS¯ to pole mass relationships at this order, which include tadpole contributions to ensure the gauge independence of the MS¯ masses. In order to suppress numerically large tadpole contributions, we propose a redefinition of the running heavy-quark mass in terms of the MS¯ Yukawa coupling. We also present Δr in the MS¯ scheme at O(α2) in the gaugeless limit. As an aside, we also list the exact two-loop expression for the mass counterterms of the bottom and top quarks.

Riemann zeta zeros and zero-point energy

The sequence of nontrivial zeros of the Riemann zeta function is zeta regularizable. Therefore, systems with countably infinite number of degrees of freedom described by self-adjoint operators whose spectra is given by this sequence admit a functional integral formulation. We discuss the consequences of the existence of such self-adjoint operators in field theory framework. We assume that they act on a massive scalar field coupled to a background field in a (d+1)-dimensional flat space–time where the scalar field is confined to the interval [0, a] in one of its dimensions and there are no restrictions in the other dimensions. The renormalized zero-point energy of this system is presented using techniques of dimensional and analytic regularization. In even-dimensional space–time, the series that defines the regularized vacuum energy is finite. For the odd-dimensional case, to obtain a finite vacuum energy per unit area, we are forced to introduce mass counterterms. A Riemann mass appears, which is the correction to the mass of the field generated by the nontrivial zeros of the Riemann zeta function.

Scalar field theories on the world sheet: cutoff independent treatment

Following earlier work on the same topic, we consider once more scalar field theories on the world sheet parametrized by the light cone coordinates. For most of the way, we use the same approach as in the previous work, but there is an important new development. To avoid the light cone singularity at p^{+}=0, one world sheet coordinate had to be discretized, introducing a cutoff into the model.In the earlier work, this cutoff could not be removed, making the model unreliable. In the present article, we show that, by a careful choice of the mass counter term, both the infrared singularity at p^{+}=0 and the ultraviolet mass divergences can be simultaneously eliminated. We therefore finally have a cutoff independent model on a continuously parametrized world sheet. We study this model in the mean field approximation, and as before, we find solitonic solutions. Quantizing the solitonic collective coordinates gives rise to a string like model. However, in contrast to the standard string model, the trajectories here are not in general linear but curved.

Renormalization in general theories with intergeneration mixing

We derive general and explicit expressions for the unrenormalized and renormalized dressed propagators of fermions in parity-nonconserving theories with inter-generation mixing. The mass eigenvalues, the corresponding mass counterterms, and the effect of inter-generation mixing on their determination are discussed. Invoking the Aoki-Hioki-Kawabe-Konuma-Muta renormalization conditions and employing a number of very useful relations from Matrix Algebra, we show explicitly that the renormalized dressed propagators satisfy important physical properties.

Exploring effects of strong interactions in enhancing masses of dynamical origin

A previous study of the dynamical generation of masses in massless QCD is considered from another viewpoint. The quark mass is assumed to have a dynamical origin and is substituted by a scalar field without self-interaction. The potential for the new field background is evaluated up to two loops. Expressing the running coupling in terms of the scale parameter $\mu$, the potential minimum is chosen to fix $m_{top}=175$ $GeV$ when $\mu_0=498 $ $MeV$. The second derivative of the potential predicts a scalar field mass of 126.76 $GeV$. This number is close to the value 114 $GeV$ which, preliminary data taken at CERN, suggested to be associated with the Higgs particle. However, the simplifying assumptions limit the validity of the calculations done, as indicated by the large value of $\alpha=\frac {g^2}{4\pi}=1.077 $ obtained. However, supporting statements about the possibility of improving the scheme come from the necessary inclusion of weak and scalar field couplings and mass counterterms in the renormalization procedure, in common with the seemingly needed consideration of the massive W and Z fields, if the real conditions of the SM model are intended to be approached.

Mixing angles of quarks and leptons in quantum field theory

Arguments coming from Quantum Field Theory are supplemented with a 1-loop perturbative calculation to settle the non-unitarity of mixing matrices linking renormalized mass eigenstates to bare flavor states for non-degenerate coupled fermions. We simultaneously diagonalize the kinetic and mass terms and counterterms in the renormalized Lagrangian. SU(2)_L gauge invariance constrains the mixing matrix in charged currents of renormalized mass states, for example the Cabibbo matrix, to stay unitary. Leaving aside CP violation, we observe that the mixing angles exhibit, within experimental uncertainty, a very simple breaking pattern of SU(2)_f horizontal symmetry linked to the algebra of weak neutral currents, the origin of which presumably lies beyond the Standard Model. It concerns: on one hand, the three quark mixing angles; on the other hand, a neutrino-like pattern in which theta_{23} is maximal and tan(2 theta_{12})=2. The Cabibbo angle fulfills the tan (2 theta_c)=1/2 and theta_{12} for neutrinos satisfies accordingly the quark-lepton complementarity condition theta_c + theta_{12}= \pi/4. theta_{13} = +- 5.7 10^{-3} are the only values obtained for the third neutrino mixing angle that lie within present experimental bounds. Flavor symmetries, their breaking by a non-degenerate mass spectrum, and their entanglement with the gauge symmetry, are scrutinized; the special role of flavor rotations as a very mildly brokensymmetry of the Standard Model is outlined.

A novel formulation of Cabibbo–Kobayashi–Maskawa matrix renormalization

We present a gauge-independent quark mass counterterm for the on-shell renormalization of the Cabibbo–Kobayashi–Maskawa (CKM) matrix in the Standard Model that is directly expressed in terms of the Lorentz-invariant self-energy functions, and automatically satisfies the hermiticity constraints of the mass matrix. It is very convenient for practical applications and leads to a gauge-independent CKM counterterm matrix that preserves unitarity and satisfies other highly desirable theoretical properties, such as flavor democracy.

A renormalized perturbation theory for problems with non-trivial boundary conditions or backgrounds in two space–time dimensions

We discuss the effects of non-trivial boundary conditions or backgrounds, including non-perturbative ones, on the renormalization program for systems in two dimensions. We present an alternative renormalization procedure in which these non-perturbative conditions can be taken into account in a self-contained and, we believe, self-consistent manner. These conditions have profound effects on the properties of the system, in particular all of its n-point functions. To be concrete, we investigate these effects in the λ φ 4 model in two dimensions and show that the mass counterterms turn out to be proportional to the Green’s functions which have a non-trivial position dependence in these cases. We then compute the difference between the mass counterterms in the presence and absence of these conditions. We find that in the case of non-trivial boundary conditions this difference is minimum between the boundaries and infinite on them. The minimum approaches zero when the boundaries go to infinity. In the case of non-trivial backgrounds, we consider the kink background and show that the difference is again small and localized around the kink.