Nontrivial Renormalization Research Articles

Lattice B -field correlators for heavy quarks

We analyze the color-magnetic (or “B”) field two-point function that encodes the finite-mass correction to the heavy-quark momentum-diffusion coefficient. The simulations are done on fine isotropic lattices in the quenched approximation at 1.5Tc, using a range of gradient flow times for noise suppression and operator renormalization. The continuum extrapolation is performed at fixed flow time followed by a second extrapolation to zero flow time. Perturbative calculations to next-to-leading order of this correlation function, matching gradient-flowed correlators to MS¯, are used to resolve nontrivial renormalization issues. We perform a spectral reconstruction based on perturbative model fits to estimate the coefficient κB of the finite-mass correction to the heavy-quark momentum-diffusion coefficient. The approach we present here yields high-precision data for the correlator with all renormalization issues incorporated at next-to-leading order and is also applicable for actions with dynamical fermions. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Handbook of derivative AdS amplitudes

In the 2022 study, together with Paul McFadden and Kostas Skenderis, I analyzed tree-level 3- and 4-point Witten diagrams (amplitudes) of scalar operators in anti-de Sitter space in momentum space. This paper constitutes its extension to Witten diagrams with bulk interactions involving spacetime derivatives. In d = 3 boundary dimensions the Witten diagrams involving conformally coupled and massless scalars can be evaluated in closed form. Such cases are of interest in holographic cosmology and correspond to dual operators of conformal dimensions ∆ = 2 and 3 respectively. I present explicit formulae for all such amplitudes and provide a Mathematica package serving as the repository of all the results. I discuss renormalization issues and show that, contrary to the expectation, even finite correlators may acquire non-trivial renormalization effects.

Lattice Vacancy Induced Energy Renormalization of Photonic Quasiparticles in Two-Dimensional Semiconductors.

Coulomb interactions among dense charges and quasiparticle energy renormalization are at the center of quantum science because they significantly reshape the fundamental electronic and photonic properties of materials. While lattice vacancies are ubiquitous in solid materials, their physical effect on the Coulomb interaction among quasiparticles is normally weak and negligible. Here we show that in atomically thin semiconductors the presence of lattice vacancies emerges as an important but unexplored origin for the nontrivial renormalization of quasiparticle binding energies, due to the subtle modification of overall dielectric functions at low dimensionality. Such a renormalization effect leads to unusual reduction in the energy scales of photonic quasiparticles and red shifts of photoluminescence as the density of lattice vacancies increases. With strict configurative form factors derived, a dielectric screening model is also established for the generalized trilayer systems to capture the fine modification in the energy scales of quasiparticles and to elucidate the dielectric functions versus realistic Bohr lengths. This finding highlights the essential but commonly neglected role of lattice vacancies and deciphers the longstanding enigma of unpredictable photoluminescent line shifts in low-dimensional systems.

Toward precision Fermi-liquid theory in two dimensions

The ultra-cold and weakly-coupled Fermi gas in two spatial dimensions is studied in an effective field theory framework. It has long been observed that universal corrections to the energy density to two orders in the interaction strength do not agree with Monte Carlo simulations in the weak-coupling regime. Here, universal corrections to three orders in the interaction strength are obtained for the first time, and are shown to provide agreement between theory and simulation. Special consideration is given to the scale ambiguity associated with the non-trivial renormalization of the singular contact interactions. The isotropic superfluid gap is obtained to next-to-leading order, and nonuniversal contributions to the energy density due to effective range effects, p-wave interactions and three-body forces are computed. Results are compared with precise Monte Carlo simulations of the energy density and the contact in the weakly-coupled attractive and repulsive Fermi liquid regimes. In addition, the known all-orders sum of ladder and ring diagrams is compared with Monte Carlo simulations at weak coupling and beyond.

New conformal field theories by gauging electric and magnetic currents

Old folklore says that there is no nontrivial renormalization group fixed point with [Formula: see text] gauge symmetry in four dimensions, but it can be circumvented by the existence of magnetic monopoles. We propose to construct (potentially infinitely many) novel types of field theories with [Formula: see text] gauge symmetry by gauging [Formula: see text] global symmetry electrically and magnetically. If the construction is consistent, the resulting theory will most likely possess a nontrivial renormalization group fixed point for the [Formula: see text] gauge coupling constant and it will be a nontrivial conformal field theory without the [Formula: see text] global symmetry in the infrared upon tunings of other relevant deformations. If the construction is CP-violating, a renormalization of the [Formula: see text]-parameter is accompanied.

Resistivity anisotropy from the multiorbital Boltzmann equation in nematic FeSe

We compute the resistivity anisotropy in the nematic phase of FeSe from the static solution of the multiorbital Boltzmann equation. By introducing disorder at the level of the microscopic multiorbital model we show that even elastic scattering by localized impurities may lead to non-trivial anisotropic renormalization of the electronic velocities, challenging the usual understanding of transport based only on cold- and hot-spots effects. Our model takes into account both the $xz/yz$ and the recently proposed $xy$ nematic ordering. We show that the latter one has a crucial role in order to reproduce the experimentally-measured anisotropy, providing a direct fingerprint of the different nematic scenarios on the bulk transport property of FeSe.

The sinh-Gordon model beyond the self dual point and the freezing transition in disordered systems

The S-matrix of the well-studied sinh-Gordon model possesses a remarkable strong/weak coupling duality b → 1/b. Since there is no understanding nor evidence for such a duality based on the quantum action of the model, it should be questioned whether the properties of the model for b > 1 are simply obtained by analytic continuation of the weak coupling regime 0 < b < 1. In this article we assert that the answer is no, and we develop a concrete and specific proposal for the properties when b > 1. Namely, we propose that in this region one needs to introduce a background charge Q∞ = b + 1/b − 2 which differs from the Liouville background charge by the shift of −2. We propose that in this regime the model has non-trivial massless renormalization group flows between two different conformal field theories. This is in contrast to the weak coupling regime which is a theory of a single massive particle. Evidence for our proposal comes from higher order beta functions. We show how our proposal correctly reproduces the freezing transitions in the multi-fractal exponents of a Dirac fermion in 2 + 1 dimensions in a random magnetic field, which provides a strong check since such transitions have several detailed features. We also point out a connection between a semi-classical version of this transition and the so-called Manning condensation phenomena in polyelectrolyte physics.

Holographic RG flow triggered by a classically marginal operator

We study the holographic renormalization group (RG) flow triggered by a classically marginal operator. When a marginal operator deforms a conformal field theory, it does not yield a nontrivial renormalization group flow at the classical level. At the quantum level, however, quantum corrections modify a marginal operator into one of the truly marginal, marginally relevant, and marginally irrelevant operators and can generate a nontrivial RG flow. We investigate the holographic description of a RG flow triggered by a marginal operator with quantum corrections. We look into how the physical quantities of a deformed theory, a coupling constant and the vacuum expectation value, rely on the RG scale. We further discuss the holographic description of the trace anomaly caused by the gluon condensation.

Dark Side of Weyl Gravity

We address the issue of a dynamical breakdown of scale invariance in quantum Weyl gravity together with related cosmological implications. In the first part, we build on our previous work [Phys. Rev. D2020, 101, 044050], where we found a non-trivial renormalization group fixed point in the infrared sector of quantum Weyl gravity. Here, we prove that the ensuing non-Gaussian IR fixed point is renormalization scheme independent. This confirms the feasibility of the analog of asymptotic safety scenario for quantum Weyl gravity in the IR. Some features, including non-analyticity and a lack of autonomy, of the system of β-functions near a turning point of the renormalization group at intermediate energies are also described. We further discuss an extension of the renormalization group analysis to the two-loop level. In particular, we show universal properties of the system of β-functions related to three couplings associated with C2 (Weyl square), G (Gauss–Bonnet), and R2 (Ricci curvature square) terms. Finally, we discuss various technical and conceptual issues associated with the conformal (trace) anomaly and propose possible remedies. In the second part, we analyze physics in the broken phase. In particular, we show that, in the low-energy sector of the broken phase, the theory looks like Starobinsky f(R) gravity with a gravi-cosmological constant that has a negative sign in comparison to the usual matter-induced cosmological constant. We discuss implications for cosmic inflation and highlight a non-trivial relation between Starobinsky’s parameter and the gravi-cosmological constant. Salient issues, including possible UV completions of quantum Weyl gravity and the role of the trace anomaly matching, are also discussed.

Weak-U(1) × strong-U(1) effective gauge field theories and electron-monopole scattering

We present a gauge and Lorentz invariant model for the scattering of matter off magnetic poles, which justifies the presence of velocity-dependent magnetic charges as an effective description of either the behaviour of monopoles in scattering with matter or their production from matter particles at colliders. Hence, in such an approach, perturbativity of the magnetic charge is ensured for relative low velocities of monopoles with respect to matter particles. The model employs a ${\rm U(1)}_{\rm weak} \times {\rm U(1)}_{\rm strong}$ effective gauge field theory under which electrons and monopoles (assumed to be fermions) are appropriately charged. The non-perturbative quantum effects of the strongly coupled sector of the theory lead to dressed effective couplings of the monopole/dyon with the electromagnetic photon, due to non-trivial wave-function renormalization effects. For slowly-moving monopole/dyons, such effects lead to weak coupling, thus turning the bare non-perturbative magnetic charge, which is large due to the Dirac/Schwinger quantization rule, into a perturbative effective, velocity-("$\beta$")-dependent magnetic coupling. Our work thus offers formal support to previous conjectural studies, employing effective U(1)-electromagnetic gauge field theories for the description of monopole production from Standard Model matter, which are used in contemporary collider searches of such objects. This work necessarily pertains to composite monopoles, as seems to be the case of all known monopoles so far, that are solutions of specific particle physics models. This is a consequence of the fact that the wave-function renormalization of the (slowly-moving) monopole fermion turns out to violate unitarity bounds that would characterise asymptotic elementary particle states.

Effective long distance qoverline{q} potential in holographic RG flows

We study the qoverline{q} potential in strongly coupled non-conformal field theories with a non-trivial renormalization group flow via holography. We focus on the properties of this potential at an inter-quark separation L large compared to the characteristic scale of the field theory. These are determined by the leading order IR physics plus a series of corrections, sensitive to the properties of the RG-flow. To determine those corrections, we propose a general method applying holographic Wilsonian renormalization to a dual string. We apply this method to examine in detail two sets of examples, 3 + 1-dimensional theories with an RG flow ending in an IR fixed point; and theories that are confining in the IR, in particular, the Witten QCD and Klebanov-Strassler models. In both cases, we find corrections with a universal dependence on the inter-quark separation. When there is an IR fixed point, that correction decays as a power ∼ 1/L4. We explain that dependence in terms of a double-trace deformation in a one-dimensional defect theory. For a confining theory, the decay is exponential ∼ e−M L, with M a scale of the order of the glueball mass. We interpret this correction using an effective flux tube description as produced by a background internal mode excitation induced by sources localized at the endpoints of the flux tube. We discuss how these results could be confronted with lattice QCD data to test whether the description of confinement via the gauge/gravity is qualitatively correct.

Constructive tensorial group field theory II: the model

In this paper, we continue our program of non-pertubative constructions of tensorial group field theories (TGFT). We prove analyticity and Borel summability in a suitable domain of the coupling constant of the simplest super-renormalizable TGFT which contains some ultraviolet divergencies, namely the color-symmetric quartic melonic rank-four model with Abelian gauge invariance, nicknamed . We use a multiscale loop vertex expansion. It is an extension of the loop vertex expansion (the basic constructive technique for non-local theories) which is required for theories that involve non-trivial renormalization.

Perturbative Renormalization of Wilson line operators

We present results for the renormalization of gauge invariant nonlocal fermion operators which contain a Wilson line, to one loop level in lattice perturbation theory. Our calculations have been performed for Wilson/clover fermions and a wide class of Symanzik improved gluon actions. The extended nature of such ‘long-link’ operators results in a nontrivial renormalization, including contributions which diverge linearly as well as logarithmically with the lattice spacing, along with additional finite factors. We present nonperturbative prescriptions to extract the linearly divergent contributions.

Will-Nordtvedt PPN formalism applied to renormalization group extensions of general relativity

Here we apply the full Will-Nordtvedt version of the Parameterized Post-Newtonian (PPN) formalism to a class of General Relativity extensions that are based on nontrivial renormalization group (RG) effects at large scales. We focus on a class of models in which the gravitational coupling constant $G$ is correlated with the Newtonian potential. A previous PPN analysis considered a specific realization of the RG effects, and only within the Eddington-Robertson-Schiff version of the PPN formalism, which is a less complete and robust PPN formulation. Here we find stronger, more precise bounds, and with less assumptions. We also consider the External Potential Effect (EPE), which is an effect that is intrinsic to this framework and depends on the system environment (it has some qualitative similarities to the screening mechanisms of modified gravity theories). We find a single particular RG realization that is not affected by the EPE. Some physical systems have been pointed out as candidates for measuring the possible RG effects in gravity at large scales, for any of them the Solar System bounds need to be considered.

Perturbative renormalization of quasi-parton distribution functions

In this paper we present results for the renormalization of gauge invariant nonlocal fermion operators which contain a Wilson line, to one-loop level in lattice perturbation theory. Our calculations have been performed for Wilson/clover fermions and a wide class of Symanzik improved gluon actions. The extended nature of such long-link operators results in a nontrivial renormalization, including contributions which diverge linearly as well as logarithmically with the lattice spacing, along with additional finite factors. On the lattice there is also mixing among certain subsets of these nonlocal operators; we calculate the corresponding finite mixing coefficients, which are necessary in order to disentangle individual matrix elements for each operator from lattice simulation data. Finally, extending our perturbative setup, we present non-perturbative prescriptions to extract the linearly divergent contributions.

Nature of the magnetic phase transition in a Weyl semimetal

We investigate the nature of the magnetic phase transition induced by the short-ranged electron-electron interactions in a Weyl semimetal by using the perturbative renormalization-group method. We find that the critical point associated with the quantum phase transition is characterized by a Gaussian fixed point perturbed by a dangerously irrelevant operator. Although the low-energy and long-distance physics is governed by a free theory, the velocities of the fermionic quasiparticles and the magnetic excitations suffer from nontrivial renormalization effects. In particular, their ratio approaches one, which indicates an emergent Lorentz symmetry at low energies. We further investigate the stability of the fixed point in the presence of weak disorder. We show that while the fixed point is generally stable against weak disorder, among those disorders that are consistent with the emergent chiral symmetry of the clean system, a moderately strong random chemical potential and/or random vector potential may induce a quantum phase transition towards a disorder-dominated phase. We propose a global phase diagram of the Weyl semimetal in the presence of both electron-electron interactions and disorder based on our results.

Impact of topology in foliated quantum Einstein gravity

We use a functional renormalization group equation tailored to the Arnowitt–Deser–Misner formulation of gravity to study the scale dependence of Newton’s coupling and the cosmological constant on a background spacetime with topology S^1 times S^d. The resulting beta functions possess a non-trivial renormalization group fixed point, which may provide the high-energy completion of the theory through the asymptotic safety mechanism. The fixed point is robust with respect to changing the parametrization of the metric fluctuations and regulator scheme. The phase diagrams show that this fixed point is connected to a classical regime through a crossover. In addition the flow may exhibit a regime of “gravitational instability”, modifying the theory in the deep infrared. Our work complements earlier studies of the gravitational renormalization group flow on a background topology S^1 times T^d (Biemans et al. Phys Rev D 95:086013, 2017, Biemans et al. arXiv:1702.06539, 2017) and establishes that the flow is essentially independent of the background topology.

Axial Hall effect and universality of holographic Weyl semi-metals

The holographic Weyl semimetal is a model of a strongly coupled topological semi-metal. A topological quantum phase transition separates a topological phase with non-vanishing anomalous Hall conductivity from a trivial state. We investigate how this phase transition depends on the parameters of the scalar potential (mass and quartic self coupling) finding that the quantum phase transition persists for a large region in parameter space. We then compute the axial Hall conductivity. The algebraic structure of the axial anomaly predicts it to be 1/3 of the electric Hall conductivity. We find that this holds once a non-trivial renormalization effect on the external axial gauge fields is taken into account. Finally we show that the phase transition also occurs in a top-down model based on a consistent truncation of type IIB supergravity.

Topological phase transitions and universality in the Haldane-Hubbard model

We study the Haldane-Hubbard model by exact Renormalization Group techniques. We construct the topological phase diagram, for weak interactions. We predict that many-body interactions induce a shift of the transition line. The presence of new intermediate phases, absent in the non interacting case, is rigorously excluded at weak coupling. Despite the nontrivial renormalization of the wave function and of the Fermi velocity, the conductivity is universal: at the renormalized critical line, both the discontinuity of the transverse conductivity and the longitudinal conductivity do not depend on the interaction, thanks to remarkable cancellations due to lattice Ward Identities.

Quantum phase transitions in the Belinsky-Khalatnikov-Lifshitz universe

We study quantum corrections to the classical Bianchi I and Bianchi IX universes. The modified dynamics is well-motivated from the asymptotic safety program where the short-distance behavior of gravity is governed by a non-trivial renormalization group fixed point. The correction terms induce a phase transition in the dynamics of the model, changing the classical, chaotic Kasner oscillations into a uniform approach to a point singularity. The resulting implications for the microscopic structure of spacetime are discussed.