Optimized Perturbation Theory Research Articles

Testing the equivalence between the planar Gross-Neveu and Thirring models at N=1

It is known that the Fierz identities predict that the Gross-Neveu and Thirring models should be equivalent when describing systems composed of a single fermionic flavor, N=1. Here, we consider the planar version of both models within the framework of the optimized perturbation theory at the two-loop level, in order to verify if the predicted equivalence emerges explicitly when different temperature and density regimes are considered. At vanishing densities, our results indicate that both models indeed describe exactly the same thermodynamics, provided that N=1. However, at finite chemical potentials we find that the N=1 Fierz equivalence no longer holds. After examining the relevant thermodynamic potentials, we have identified the contributions which lead to this puzzling discrepancy. Finally, we discuss different frameworks in which this (so far open) problem could be further understood and eventually circumvented. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Optimized Self-Similar Borel Summation

The method of Fractional Borel Summation is suggested in conjunction with self-similar factor approximants. The method used for extrapolating asymptotic expansions at small variables to large variables, including the variables tending to infinity, is described. The method is based on the combination of optimized perturbation theory, self-similar approximation theory, and Borel-type transformations. General Borel Fractional transformation of the original series is employed. The transformed series is resummed in order to adhere to the asymptotic power laws. The starting point is the formulation of dynamics in the approximations space by employing the notion of self-similarity. The flow in the approximation space is controlled, and “deep” control is incorporated into the definitions of the self-similar approximants. The class of self-similar approximations, satisfying, by design, the power law behavior, such as the use of self-similar factor approximants, is chosen for the reasons of transparency, explicitness, and convenience. A detailed comparison of different methods is performed on a rather large set of examples, employing self-similar factor approximants, self-similar iterated root approximants, as well as the approximation technique of self-similarly modified Padé–Borel approximations.

Nonstrange quark stars within resummed QCD

The recently developed resummation technique known as {\it renormalization group optimized perturbation theory} (RGOPT) is employed in the evaluation of the EoS describing non-strange cold quark matter at NLO. Inspired by recent investigations, which suggest that stable quark matter can be made only of up and down quarks, the mass-radius relation for two flavor pure quark stars is evaluated and compared with the predictions from perturbative QCD (pQCD) at NNLO. This comparison explicitly shows that by being imbued with renormalization group properties, and a variational optimization procedure, the method allows for an efficient resummation of the perturbative series. Remarkably, when the renormalization scale is chosen so as to reproduce maximum mass stars with M=$2-2.3M_\odot$, one obtains a mass-radius curve compatible with the masses and radii of the pulsars PSR J0740+6620, PSR J0030+0451, and the compact object HESS J1731-347. Moreover, the scale dependence of the EoS (and mass-radius relation) obtained with the RGOPT is greatly improved when compared to that of pQCD. This seminal application to the description of quark stars shows that the RGOPT represents a robust alternative to pQCD when describing compressed quark matter.

Addressing energy density functionals in the language of path-integrals I: comparative study of diagrammatic techniques applied to the (0 + 0)-D O(N)-symmetric $$\varphi ^{4}$$-theory

The energy density functional (EDF) method is currently the only microscopic theoretical approach able to tackle the entire nuclear chart. Nevertheless, it suffers from limitations resulting from its empirical character and deteriorating its reliability. This paper is part of a larger program that aims at formulating the EDF approach as an effective field theory (EFT) in order to overcome these limitations. A relevant framework to achieve this is the path-integral formulation of quantum field theory. The latter indeed provides a wide variety of treatments of the many-body problem well suited to deal with non-perturbative interactions and to exploit a Lagrangian resulting from an EFT as a starting point. While developing the formalism in a general setting, we present below a comparative study of such techniques applied to a toy model, i.e. the (0 + 0)-D O(N)-symmetric $$\varphi ^{4}$$ -theory. More specifically, our focus will be on the following diagrammatic techniques: loop expansion, optimized perturbation theory and self-consistent perturbation theory. With these methods, we notably address the spontaneous breakdown of the O(N) symmetry with care especially since spontaneous symmetry breakings play a paramount role in current implementations of the EDF approach.

Real effective potentials for phase transitions in models with extended scalar sectors

The effective potential obtained by loop expansion is usually not real in the range of field values explored by its minima during a phase transition. We apply the optimized perturbation theory in a fixed gauge to singlet scalar extensions of the Standard Model in order to calculate a one-loop effective potential that is real by construction. We test this computational scheme by comparing such a potential obtained in Landau gauge to that derived based on the Higgs pole mass. We carry out the latter construction by imposing physical renormalization conditions, which yields a potential without residual regularization scale dependence. We use our effective potential to study the parameter dependence of the critical temperatures in a two-step phase transition of the form (0, 0) → (0, w′) → (v, w) that occurs for decreasing temperature in scalar extensions of the SM with two vacuum expectation values v and w.

Phase transition patterns for coupled complex scalar fields at finite temperature and density

The phase transition patterns displayed by a model of two coupled complex scalar fields are studied at finite temperature and chemical potential. Possible phenomena like symmetry persistence and inverse symmetry breaking at high temperatures are analyzed. The effect of finite density is also considered and studied in combination with the thermal effects. The nonperturbative optimized perturbation theory method is considered and the results contrasted with perturbation theory. Applications of the results obtained are considered in the context of an effective model for condensation of kaons at high densities, which is of importance in the understanding of the color-flavor locked phase of quantum chromodynamics.

Repulsive character induced by optimized perturbation techniques on the Polyakov-loop-extended Nambu—Jona-Lasinio model.

The determination of the critical point on the QCD phase diagram depends experimentally on thermodynamic quantities related to the cumulants of the pressure. These quantities appear as coefficients in the Taylor expansion of the pressure and, specifically for the second order cumulant c 2, QCD results on the lattice (LQCD) show that it raises with the temperature towards the Stefan-Boltzmann limit. On the other hand, when one evaluates c 2 within quark effective models considering a repulsion on the vector channel parametrized by GV , this observable reaches a maximum just after Tc , deviating itself from LQCD predictions. Here we apply the Optimized Perturbation Theory (OPT) method to the two flavor Polyakov–Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model (at GV = 0) to confront our results with those furnished by LQCD simulations. We show that c 2 behaves satisfactorily at low-T and close to Tc , but, with GV ≠ 0, it develops a maximum at high-T. Our conclusions indicate that it would be possible that the correct high temperature behavior of c 2 beyond LN limit could be properly achieved by effective quark models if they also mimic the so-called asymptotic freedom phenomenon.

Renormalization group optimized λϕ4 pressure at next-to-next-to-leading order

We investigate the renormalization group optimized perturbation theory (RGOPT) at the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) for the thermal scalar field theory. From comparing three thus available successive RGOPT orders, we illustrate the efficient resummation and very good apparent convergence properties of the method. In particular, the remnant renormalization scale dependence of thermodynamical quantities is drastically improved as compared to both standard perturbative expansions and other related resummation methods, such as the screened perturbation theory. Our present results thus constitute a useful first NNLO illustration in view of NNLO applications of this approach to the more involved thermal QCD.

Symmetry breaking patterns for two coupled complex scalar fields at finite temperature and in an external magnetic field

A model of two coupled complex scalar fields is studied at finite temperature and under an external magnetic field. The results are obtained in the context of the nonperturbative method of the optimized perturbation theory and contrasted with those obtained in perturbation theory and in the one-loop approximation. The emergence of phenomena related to inverse symmetry breaking and symmetry nonrestoration are analyzed.

From Asymptotic Series to Self-Similar Approximants

The review presents the development of an approach of constructing approximate solutions to complicated physics problems, starting from asymptotic series, through optimized perturbation theory, to self-similar approximation theory. The close interrelation of underlying ideas of these theories is emphasized. Applications of the developed approach are illustrated by typical examples demonstrating that it combines simplicity with good accuracy.

QCD pressure: Renormalization group optimized perturbation theory confronts lattice

The quark contribution to the QCD pressure, ${P}_{q}$, is evaluated up to next-to-leading order (NLO) within the renormalization group optimized perturbation theory (RGOPT) resummation approach. To evaluate the complete QCD pressure we simply add the perturbative NLO contribution from massless gluons to the resummed ${P}_{q}$. Despite this unsophisticated approximation our results for $P={P}_{q}+{P}_{g}$ at the central scale $M\ensuremath{\sim}2\ensuremath{\pi}T$ show a remarkable agreement with lattice predictions for $0.25\ensuremath{\lesssim}T\ensuremath{\lesssim}1\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$. We also show that by being imbued with RG properties, the RGOPT produces a drastic reduction of the embarrassing remnant scale dependence that plagues both standard thermal perturbative QCD and hard thermal loop perturbation theory applications.

Renormalization group improved pressure for hot and dense quark matter

We apply the renormalization group optimized perturbation theory (RGOPT) to evaluate the quark contribution to the QCD pressure at finite temperatures and baryonic densities, at next-to-leading order (NLO). Our results are compared to NLO and state-of-the-art higher orders of standard perturbative QCD (pQCD) and hard thermal loop perturbation theory (HTLpt). The RGOPT resummation provides a nonperturbative approximation, exhibiting a drastically better remnant renormalization scale dependence than pQCD, thanks to built-in renormalization group invariance consistency. At NLO, upon simply adding to the RGOPT-resummed quark contributions the purely perturbative NLO glue contribution, our results show a remarkable agreement with ab initio lattice simulation data for temperatures $0.25 \lesssim T \lesssim 1 \, {\rm GeV}$, with a remnant scale dependence drastically reduced as compared to HTLpt.

Critical behavior of the 2d scalar theory: resumming the N8LO perturbative mass gap

We apply the optimized perturbation theory (OPT) to resum the perturbative series describing the mass gap of the bidimensional ϕ4 theory in the ℤ2 symmetric phase. Already at NLO (one loop) the method is capable of generating a quite reasonable non-perturbative result for the critical coupling. At order-g7 we obtain gc = 2.779(25) which compares very well with the state of the art N8LO result, gc = 2.807(34). As a novelty we investigate the supercritical region showing that it contains some useful complimentary information that can be used in extrapolations to arbitrarily high orders.

Chiral condensate and spectral density at full five-loop and partial six-loop orders of renormalization group optimized perturbation theory

We reconsider our former determination of the chiral quark condensate $\langle \bar q q \rangle$ from the related QCD spectral density of the Euclidean Dirac operator, using our Renormalization Group Optimized Perturbation (RGOPT) approach. Thanks to the recently available {\em complete} five-loop QCD RG coefficients, and some other related four-loop results, we can extend our calculations exactly to $N^4LO$ (five-loops) RGOPT, and partially to $N^5LO$ (six-loops), the latter within a well-defined approximation accounting for all six-loop contents exactly predictable from five-loops RG properties. The RGOPT results overall show a very good stability and convergence, giving primarily the RG invariant condensate, $\langle \bar q q\rangle^{1/3}_{RGI}(n_f=0) = -(0.840_{-0.016}^{+0.020}) \bar\Lambda_0 $, $\langle\bar q q\rangle^{1/3}_{RGI}(n_f=2) = -(0.781_{-0.009}^{+0.019}) \bar\Lambda_2 $, $\langle\bar q q\rangle^{1/3}_{RGI}(n_f=3) = -(0.751_{-.010}^{+0.019}) \bar\Lambda_3 $, where $\bar\Lambda_{n_f}$ is the basic QCD scale in the \overline{MS} scheme for $n_f$ quark flavors, and the range spanned is our rather conservative estimated theoretical error. This leads {\it e.g.} to $ \langle\bar q q\rangle^{1/3}_{n_f=3}(2\, {\rm GeV}) = -(273^{+7}_{-4}\pm 13)$ MeV, using the latest $\bar\Lambda_3$ values giving the second uncertainties. We compare our results with some other recent determinations. As a by-product of our analysis we also provide complete five-loop and partial six-loop expressions of the perturbative QCD spectral density, that may be useful for other purposes.

Polyakov linear- σ model in mean-field approximation and optimized perturbation theory

We compare results from the Polyakov linear-sigma model (PLSM) in optimized perturbation theory (OPT) with the mean-field approximation (MFA). At finite temperatures and chemical potentials, the chiral condensates and the decofinement order parameters, the thermodynamic pressure, the pseudo-critical temperatures, the subtracted condensates, the second- and high-order moments of various conserved charges (cumulants) obtained in MFA are compared with OPT and also confronted to available lattice QCD simulations. We conclude that when moving from lower- to higher-order moments of various quantum charges, OPT becomes more closer to QCD.

Renormalization group improved pressure for cold and dense QCD

We apply the renormalization group optimized perturbation theory (RGOPT)to evaluate the QCD (matter) pressure at the two-loop level considering three flavors of massless quarks in a dense and cold medium. Already at leading order ($\alpha_s^0$), which builds on the simple one loop (RG resummed) term, our technique provides a non-trivial non-perturbative approximation which is completely renormalization group invariant. At the next-to-leading order the comparison between the RGOPT and the pQCD predictions shows that the former method provides results which are in better agreement with the state-of-the-art $higher \, order$ perturbative results, which include a contribution of order $\alpha_s^3 \ln^2 \alpha_s$. At the same time one also observes that the RGOPT predictions are less sensitive to variations of the arbitrary $\bar{\rm MS}$ renormalization scale than those obtained with pQCD. These results indicate that the RGOPT provides an efficient resummation scheme which may be considered as an alternative to lattice simulations at high baryonic densities.

Distribution of solutions of the fastest apparent convergence condition in optimized perturbation theory and its relation to anti-Stokes lines

We discuss fundamental properties of the fastest apparent convergence (FAC) condition which is used as a variational criterion in optimized perturbation theory (OPT). We examine an integral representation of the FAC condition and a distribution of the zeros of the integral in a complex artificial parameter space on the basis of theory of Lefschetz thimbles. We find that the zeros accumulate on a certain line segment known as an anti-Stokes line in the limit K→∞, where K is a truncation order of a perturbation series. This phenomenon gives an underlying mechanism that physical quantities calculated by OPT can be insensitive to the choice of the artificial parameter.

Interplay between Approximation Theory and Renormalization Group

The review presents general methods for treating complicated problems that cannot be solved exactly and whose solution encounters two major difficulties. First, there are no small parameters allowing for the safe use of perturbation theory in powers of these parameters, and even when small parameters exist, the related perturbative series are strongly divergent. Second, such perturbative series in powers of these parameters are rather short, so that the standard resummation techniques either yield bad approximations or are not applicable at all. The emphasis in the review is on the methods advanced and developed by the author. One of the general methods is Optimized Perturbation Theory now widely employed in various branches of physics, chemistry, and applied mathematics. The other powerful method is Self-Similar Approximation Theory allowing for quite simple and accurate summation of divergent series. These theories share many common features with the method of renormalization group, which is briefly sketched in order to stress the similarities in their ideas and their mutual interconnection.

Optimized perturbation theory applied to the study of the thermodynamics and BEC-BCS crossover in the three-color Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model

The Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model with two flavors, three colors and diquark interactions is analyzed in the context of optimized perturbation theory (OPT). Corrections to the thermodynamical potential that go beyond the large-$N_c$ (LN) approximation are taken into account, and the region of the phase diagram corresponding to intermediate chemical potentials and very low temperatures is explored. The simultaneous presence of both the quark-antiquark and diquark condensates can cause the system to behave as a fluid composed of a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) or a color superconductor one, in the form of a Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) superfluid. The BEC-BCS crossover is then studied in the nonperturbative OPT scheme. The results obtained in the context of the OPT method are then contrasted with those obtained in the LN approximation. We show that there are values for the coupling constants related to quark-quark and quark-antiquark interactions where the corrections beyond LN brought by the OPT method can influence the behavior of the diquark condensate and the effective quark mass as a function of the baryon chemical potential. These changes in the behavior of the phase structure of the model modify the location of the critical point related to the phase structure as a whole of the model. Also, when we impose the color neutrality condition, our results show that the nature of the phase transition can change as well, shifting the ratio of the quark-antiquark and quark-quark interactions to higher values in the OPT case as compared to the LN approximation.

Scale invariant non linear sigma model at finite temperatures

The recently proposed renormalization group improved optimized perturbation theory is employed to evaluate the pressure of the two dimensional non linear sigma model at finite temperatures. We explicitly show how this powerful resummation method can turn the lowest (one loop) perturbative contribution to the pressure, which is not RG invariant, into a non perturbative quantity exhibiting scale invariance.