Nonperturbative Renormalization Group Equations Research Articles

Original and modified non-perturbative renormalization group equations of the BMW scheme at the arbitrary order of truncation

We consider the non-perturbative renormalization group (RG) equations, obtained as approximations of the exact Wetterich RG flow equation within the Blaizot–Mendez–Wschebor (BMW) truncation scheme. For the first time, we derive explicit RG flow equations for the scalar model at the arbitrary order of truncation. Moreover, we consider original, as well as modified, approximations, used to obtain a set of closed equations. We compare these equations at the s = 2 order of truncation with those recently derived in J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 53, 415002 (2020) within a new truncation scheme and find a striking similarity. Namely, the first-order equations of the latter scheme, those of the original BMW scheme, and those of the modified BMW scheme (at s = 2) differ only in one term. We solved these equations by a recently proposed and tested method of semi-analytic approximations. Thus, the critical exponents η, ν, and ω were evaluated, recovering also the known results of the original BMW scheme. In addition, we estimated the subleading correction-to-scaling exponent ω2 for the three equations considered. To the best of our knowledge, this exponent has not yet been extracted from the Wetterich equation beyond the local potential (the zeroth order) approximation. Our current estimate for the 3D Ising model is ω2 = 2.02 (40), where the error bars include the expected truncation error in the BMW scheme.

Functional truncations for the solution of the nonperturbative RG equations

We consider the Wetterich exact renormalization group (RG) equation. Approximate closed equations are obtained from it, applying certain truncation schemes for the effective average action. These equations are solved either purely numerically or by certain extra truncations for the potential and related quantities, called the functional truncations. Traditionally, the functional truncations consist of truncated expansions in powers of , where , φ is the averaged order parameter, and corresponds to the minimum of the dimensionless potential , depending on the infrared cut-off scale k. We propose a new approach of functional truncations, using the expansion , where , is an optimization parameter and µ is the exponent, describing the asymptotic. The newly developed method provides accurate estimates of the critical exponents η, ν and also ω. In the case of the local potential approximation (LPA), the discrepancy with the purely numerical solution is for ν and 0.0012 for ω at the s 13 order of truncation. We show that this method is advantageous for estimations beyond the LPA, especially, for the critical exponent ω. In particular, we have obtained , , and for the equation originally derived in 2020 J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 53 415002 within a new truncation scheme for the effective action. The approach can also be used for the solution of other nonperturbative RG models that have a broad range of applications.

Asymptotically free and safe quantum gravity scenarios consistent with Hubble, laboratory, and inflation scale physics

To find out the possible scenarios for quantum gravity consistent with the observed universe, we numerically investigate the non-perturbative renormalization group equations of a general quadratic gravity theory recently derived by Sen, Wetterich and Yamada (\textit{JHEP} 03 (2022) 130). As boundary conditions, we impose consistency with the Hubble scale and the laboratory scale experiments, and the Starobinsky model of inflation. We find two kinds of trajectories which go to different regime at the trans-Planckian scales: i) a trajectory which flows to the asymptotically free regime, and ii) a trajectory which flows to the asymptotically safe regime. To determine the early-time cosmological scenario, an additional observational data from beyond the homogeneous and isotropic space-time is necessary.

Limit of vanishing regulator in the functional renormalization group

The nonperturbative functional renormalization group equation depends on the choice of a regulator function, whose main properties are a ``coarse-graining scale'' $k$ and an overall dimensionless amplitude $a$. In this paper we shall discuss the limit $a\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$ with $k$ fixed. This limit is closely related to the pseudoregulator that reproduces the beta functions of the $\overline{\mathrm{MS}}$ scheme that we studied in a previous paper. It is not suitable for precision calculations but it appears to be useful to eliminate the spurious breaking of symmetries by the regulator, both for nonlinear models and within the background field method.

Ward-constrained melonic renormalization group flow

In recent years, interesting investigations of the nonperturbative renormalization group equations for tensorial group field theories have been performed in the truncation method, while completely discarding the Ward identities from their analysis. In this letter, in continuation of our recent series of papers, we present a new framework of the investigation, namely, the effective vertex expansion, allowing us to consider infinite sectors rather than finite-dimensional subspaces of the full theory space. We focus on the ultraviolet behavior and provide a new and complete description of the renormalization group flow constrained with Ward identities.

Conformal Invariance and Vector Operators in the O(N) Model

It is widely expected that, for a large class of models, scale invariance implies conformal invariance. A sufficient condition for this to happen is that there exists no integrated vector operator, invariant under all internal symmetries of the model, with scaling dimension $-1$. In this article, we compute the scaling dimensions of vector operators with lowest dimensions in the $O(N)$ model. We use three different approximation schemes: $\epsilon$ expansion, large $N$ limit and third order of the Derivative Expansion of Non-Perturbative Renormalization Group equations. We find that the scaling dimensions of all considered integrated vector operators are always much larger than $-1$. This strongly supports the existence of conformal invariance in this model. For the Ising model, an argument based on correlation functions inequalities was derived, which yields a lower bound for the scaling dimension of the vector perturbations. We generalize this proof to the case of the $O(N)$ model with $N\in \left\lbrace 2,3,4 \right\rbrace$.

Scaling relations and multicritical phenomena from functional renormalization.

We investigate multicritical phenomena in O(N)+O(M) models by means of nonperturbative renormalization group equations. This constitutes an elementary building block for the study of competing orders in a variety of physical systems. To identify possible multicritical points in phase diagrams with two ordered phases, we compute the stability of isotropic and decoupled fixed point solutions from scaling potentials of single-field models. We verify the validity of Aharony's scaling relation within the scale-dependent derivative expansion of the effective average action. We discuss implications for the analysis of multicritical phenomena with truncated flow equations. These findings are an important step towards studies of competing orders and multicritical quantum phase transitions within the framework of functional renormalization.

Towards a C-function in 4D quantum gravity

We develop a generally applicable method for constructing functions, $C$, which have properties similar to Zamolodchikov's $C$-function, and are geometrically natural objects related to the theory space explored by non-perturbative functional renormalization group (RG) equations. Employing the Euclidean framework of the Effective Average Action (EAA), we propose a $C$-function which can be defined for arbitrary systems of gravitational, Yang-Mills, ghost, and bosonic matter fields, and in any number of spacetime dimensions. It becomes stationary both at critical points and in classical regimes, and decreases monotonically along RG trajectories provided the breaking of the split-symmetry which relates background and quantum fields is sufficiently weak. Within the Asymptotic Safety approach we test the proposal for Quantum Einstein Gravity in $d>2$ dimensions, performing detailed numerical investigations in $d=4$. We find that the bi-metric Einstein-Hilbert truncation of theory space introduced recently is general enough to yield perfect monotonicity along the RG trajectories, while its more familiar single-metric analog fails to achieve this behavior which we expect on general grounds. Investigating generalized crossover trajectories connecting a fixed point in the ultraviolet to a classical regime with positive cosmological constant in the infrared, the $C$-function is shown to depend on the choice of the gravitational instanton which constitutes the background spacetime. For de Sitter space in 4 dimensions, the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy is found to play a role analogous to the central charge in conformal field theory. We also comment on the idea of a `$\Lambda$-$N$ connection' and the `$N$-bound' discussed earlier.

Weak solution of the non-perturbative renormalization group equation to describe dynamical chiral symmetry breaking

We analyze the dynamical chiral symmetry breaking (D$\chi$SB) in the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (NJL) model by using the non-perturbative renormalization group (NPRG) equation. The equation takes a form of two-dimensional partial differential equation for the multi-fermion effective interactions $V(x,t)$ where $x$ is $\bar\psi\psi$ operator and $t$ is the logarithm of the renormalization scale. The D$\chi$SB occurs due to the quantum corrections, which means it emerges at some finite $t_{\rm c}$ in the mid of integrating the equation with respect to $t$. At $t_{\rm c}$ some singularities suddenly appear in $V$ which is compulsory in the spontaneous symmetry breakdown. Therefore there is no solution of the equation beyond $t_{\rm c}$. We newly introduce the notion of weak solution to get the global solution including the infrared limit $t\rightarrow \infty$ and investigate its properties. The obtained weak solution is global and unique, and it perfectly describes the physically correct vacuum even in case of the first order phase transition appearing in finite density medium. The key logic of deduction is that the weak solution we defined automatically convexifies the effective potential when treating the singularities.

Renormalization group flow of the Holst action

The renormalization group (RG) properties of quantum gravity are explored, using the vielbein and the spin connection as the fundamental field variables. The scale dependent effective action is required to be invariant both under spacetime diffeomorphisms and local frame rotations. The nonperturbative RG equation is solved explicitly on the truncated theory space defined by a three-parameter family of Holst-type actions which involve a running Immirzi parameter. We find evidence for the existence of an asymptotically safe fundamental theory, probably inequivalent to metric quantum gravity constructed in the same way.

Pions are neither perturbative nor nonperturbative: Wilsonian renormalization-group analysis of nuclear effective field theory including pions

Pionful nuclear effective field theory (NEFT) in the two-nucleon sector is examined from the Wilsonian renormalization group point of view. The pion exchange is cut off at the floating cutoff scale, $\Lambda$, with the short-distance part being represented as contact interactions in accordance with the general principle of renormalization. We derive the nonperturbative renormalization group equations in the leading order of the nonrelativistic approximation in the operator space including up to $\mathcal{O}(p^2)$ and find the nontrivial fixed points in the $^1S_0$ and $^3S_1$--$^3D_1$ channels which are identified with those in the pionless NEFT. The scaling dimensions, which determine the power counting, of the contact interactions at the nontrivial fixed points are also identified with those in the pionless NEFT. We emphasize the importance of the separation of the pion exchange into the short-distance and the long-distance parts, since a part of the former is nonperturbative while the latter is perturbative.

Nonperturbative renormalization group and momentum dependence ofn-point functions. I

We present an approximation scheme to solve the nonperturbative renormalization group equations and obtain the full momentum dependence of the n-point functions. It is based on an iterative procedure where, in a first step, an initial ansatz for the n-point functions is constructed by solving approximate flow equations derived from well motivated approximations. These approximations exploit the derivative expansion and the decoupling of high momentum modes. The method is applied to the O(N) model. In leading order, the self-energy is already accurate both in the perturbative and the scaling regimes. A stringent test is provided by the calculation of the shift DeltaTc in the transition temperature of the weakly repulsive Bose gas, a quantity which is particularly sensitive to all momentum scales. The leading order result is in agreement with lattice calculations, albeit with a theoretical uncertainty of about 25%.

Nonperturbative renormalization group and momentum dependence ofn-point functions. II

In a companion paper [Blaizot, Phys. Rev. E 74, 051116 (2006)], we have presented an approximation scheme to solve the nonperturbative renormalization group equations that allows the calculation of the n-point functions for arbitrary values of the external momenta. The method was applied in its leading order to the calculation of the self-energy of the O(N) model in the critical regime. The purpose of the present paper is to extend this study to the next-to-leading order of the approximation scheme. This involves the calculation of the four-point function at leading order, where interesting features arise, related to the occurrence of exceptional configurations of momenta in the flow equations. These require a special treatment, inviting us to improve the straightforward iteration scheme that we originally proposed. The final result for the self-energy at next-to-leading order exhibits a remarkable improvement as compared to the leading order calculation. This is demonstrated by the calculation of the shift DeltaTc, caused by weak interactions, in the temperature of Bose-Einstein condensation. This quantity depends on the self-energy at all momentum scales and can be used as a benchmark of the approximation. The improved next-to-leading order calculation of the self-energy presented in this paper leads to excellent agreement with lattice data and is within 4% of the exact large N result.

A new method to solve the non-perturbative renormalization group equations

We propose a method to solve the non-perturbative renormalization group equations for the n-point functions. In leading order, it consists in solving the equations obtained by closing the infinite hierarchy of equations for the n-point functions. This is achieved: (i) by exploiting the decoupling of modes and the analyticity of the n-point functions at small momenta: this allows us to neglect some momentum dependence of the vertices entering the flow equations; (ii) by relating vertices at zero momenta to derivatives of lower order vertices with respect to a constant background field. Although the approximation is not controlled by a small parameter, its accuracy can be systematically improved. When it is applied to the O(N) model, its leading order is exact in the large-N limit; in this case, one recovers known results in a simple and direct way, i.e., without introducing an auxiliary field.

Quantum gravity at astrophysical distances?

Assuming that quantum Einstein gravity (QEG) is the correct theory of gravity on alllength scales, we use analytical results from nonperturbative renormalization group (RG)equations as well as experimental input in order to characterize the special RGtrajectory of QEG which is realized in Nature and to determine its parameters. Onthis trajectory, we identify a regime of scales where gravitational physics is welldescribed by classical general relativity. Strong renormalization effects occur at bothlarger and smaller momentum scales. The latter lead to a growth of Newton’sconstant at large distances. We argue that this effect becomes visible at the scale ofgalaxies and could provide a solution to the astrophysical missing mass problemwhich does not require any dark matter. We show that an extremely weak powerlaw running of Newton’s constant leads to flat galaxy rotation curves similar tothose observed in Nature. Furthermore, a possible resolution of the cosmologicalconstant problem is proposed by noting that all RG trajectories admitting along classical regime automatically give rise to a small cosmological constant.

Universality, marginal operators, and limit cycles

The universality of renormalization group limit cycle behavior is illustrated with a simple discrete Hamiltonian model. A non-perturbative renormalization group equation for the model is soluble analytically at criticality and exhibits one marginal operator (made necessary by the limit cycle) and an infinite set of irrelevant operators. Relevant operators are absent. The model exhibits an infinite series of bound state energy eigenvalues. This infinite series approaches an exact geometric series as the eigenvalues approach zero - also a consequence of the limit cycle. Wegner's eigenvalues for irrelevant operators are calculated generically for all choices of parameters in the model. We show that Wegner's eigenvalues are independent of location on the limit cycle, in contrast with Wegner's operators themselves, which vary depending on their location on the limit cycle. An example is then used to illustrate numerically how one can tune the initial Hamiltonian to eliminate the first two irrelevant operators. After tuning, the Hamiltonian's bound state eigenvalues converge much more quickly than otherwise to an exact geometric series.

Nonperturbative renormalization group approach to the Ising model: A derivative expansion at order∂4

On the example of the three-dimensional Ising model, we show that nonperturbative renormalization group equations allow one to obtain very accurate critical exponents. Implementing the order ${\ensuremath{\partial}}^{4}$ of the derivative expansion leads to $\ensuremath{\nu}=0.632$ and to an anomalous dimension $\ensuremath{\eta}=0.033$ which is significantly improved compared with lower orders calculations.

Optimization of the derivative expansion in the nonperturbative renormalization group

We study the optimization of nonperturbative renormalization group equations truncated both in fields and derivatives. On the example of the Ising model in three dimensions, we show that the Principle of Minimal Sensitivity can be unambiguously implemented at order $\partial^2$ of the derivative expansion. This approach allows us to select optimized cut-off functions and to improve the accuracy of the critical exponents $\nu$ and $\eta$. The convergence of the field expansion is also analyzed. We show in particular that its optimization does not coincide with optimization of the accuracy of the critical exponents.

Limit cycles in quantum theories.

Renormalization group limit cycles and more chaotic behavior may be commonplace for quantum Hamiltonians requiring renormalization, in contrast to experience based on classical models with critical behavior, where fixed points are far more common. We discuss the simplest quantum model Hamiltonian identified so far that exhibits a renormalization group with both limit cycle and chaotic behavior. The model is a discrete Hermitian matrix with two coupling constants, both governed by a nonperturbative renormalization group equation that involves changes in only one of these couplings and is soluble analytically.

Renormalization group in quantum mechanics at zero and finite temperature

We apply the renormalization group formalism, to integrate quantum fluctuations of quantum mechanical systems at zero and finite temperature. At zero temperature a nonperturbative renormalization group equation allows to compute the ground state energy whereas at finite temperature a variational renormalization group equation is proposed to compute the free energy.