Renormalization Group Evolution Research Articles

Renormalization group evolution of multi-gluon correlators in high energy QCD

Many-body QCD in leading high energy Regge asymptotics is described by the Balitsky–JIMWLK hierarchy of renormalization group equations for the x evolution of multi-point Wilson line correlators. These correlators are universal and ubiquitous in final states in deeply inelastic scattering and hadronic collisions. For instance, recently measured di-hadron correlations at forward rapidity in deuteron–gold collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) are sensitive to four and six point correlators of Wilson lines in the small x color fields of the dense nuclear target. We evaluate these correlators numerically by solving the functional Langevin equation that describes the Balitsky–JIMWLK hierarchy. We compare the results to mean-field Gaussian and large Nc approximations used in previous phenomenological studies. We comment on the implications of our results for quantitative studies of multi-gluon final states in high energy QCD.

Minimal Lepton Flavor Violation and renormalization group evolution of lepton masses and mixing

We study the renormalization group equations (RGEs) of the neutrino parameters in models of Minimal Lepton Flavor Violation. In such models, the RGEs can be described in terms of flavor spurions, such that only the coefficients depend on the specific model. We explicitly demonstrate this method for the SM and MSSM for both Type-I and Type-III seesaw models. For that purpose, the RGEs of neutrino parameters in the MSSM Type-III seesaw have been computed. We have extended this method to get the evolution equations at second order. The implications for leptogenesis are also discussed.

Quantum quench spectroscopy of a Luttinger liquid: Ultrarelativistic density wave dynamics due to fractionalization in anXXZchain

We compute the dynamics of localized excitations produced by a quantum quench in the spin 1/2 XXZ chain. Using numerics combining the density matrix renormalization group and exact time evolution, as well as analytical arguments, we show that fractionalization due to interactions in the pre-quench state gives rise to "ultrarelativistic" density waves that travel at the maximum band velocity. The system is initially prepared in the ground state of the chain within the gapless XY phase, which admits a Luttinger liquid (LL) description at low energies and long wavelengths. The Hamiltonian is then suddenly quenched to a band insulator, after which the chain evolves unitarily. Through the gapped dispersion of the insulator spectrum, the post-quench dynamics serve as a "velocity microscope," revealing initial state particle correlations via space time density propagation. We show that the ultrarelativistic wave production is tied to the particular way in which fractionalization evades Pauli-blocking in the zero-temperature initial LL state.

Non-global structure of the $ \mathcal{O}\left( {\alpha_s^2} \right) $ dijet soft function

High energy scattering processes involving jets generically involve matrix elements of light- like Wilson lines, known as soft functions. These describe the structure of soft contributions to observables and encode color and kinematic correlations between jets. We compute the dijet soft function to O({\alpha}_s^2) as a function of the two jet invariant masses, focusing on terms not determined by its renormalization group evolution that have a non-separable dependence on these masses. Our results include non-global single and double logarithms, and analytic results for the full set of non-logarithmic contributions as well. Using a recent result for the thrust constant, we present the complete O({\alpha}_s^2) soft function for dijet production in both position and momentum space.

Two-loop soft corrections and resummation of the thrust distribution in the dijet region

The thrust distribution in electron-positron annihilation is a classical precision QCD observable. Using renormalization group (RG) evolution in Laplace space, we perform the resummation of logarithmically enhanced corrections in the dijet limit, $T\to 1$ to next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic (NNLL) accuracy. We independently derive the two-loop soft function for the thrust distribution and extract an analytical expression for the NNLL resummation coefficient $g_3$. To combine the resummed expressions with the fixed-order results, we derive the $\log(R)$-matching and $R$-matching of the NNLL approximation to the fixed-order NNLO distribution.

Drell–Yan production at small q T , transverse parton distributions and the collinear anomaly

Using methods from effective field theory, an exact all-order expression for the Drell-Yan cross section at small transverse momentum is derived directly in q_T space, in which all large logarithms are resummed. The anomalous dimensions and matching coefficients necessary for resummation at NNLL order are given explicitly. The precise relation between our result and the Collins-Soper-Sterman formula is discussed, and as a by-product the previously unknown three-loop coefficient A^(3) is obtained. The naive factorization of the cross section at small transverse momentum is broken by a collinear anomaly, which prevents a process-independent definition of x_T-dependent parton distribution functions. A factorization theorem is derived for the product of two such functions, in which the dependence on the hard momentum transfer is separated out. The remainder factors into a product of two functions of longitudinal momentum variables and x_T^2, whose renormalization-group evolution is derived and solved in closed form. The matching of these functions at small x_T onto standard parton distributions is calculated at O(alpha_s), while their anomalous dimensions are known to three loops.

Ultraviolet properties of the Higgs sector in the Lee-Wick standard model

The Lee-Wick (LW) Standard Model (SM) offers a new solution to the hierarchy problem. We discuss, using effective potential techniques, its peculiar ultraviolet (UV) behaviour. We show how quadratic divergences in the Higgs mass Mh cancel as a result of the unusual dependence of LW fields on the Higgs background (in a manner reminiscent of Little Higgses). We then extract from the effective potential the renormalization group evolution of the Higgs quartic coupling lambda above the LW scale. After clarifying an apparent discrepancy with previous results for the LW Abelian Higgs model we focus on the LWSM. In contrast with the SM case, for any Mh, lambda grows monotonically and hits a Landau pole at a fixed trans-Planckian scale (never turning negative in the UV). Then, the perturbativity and stability bounds on Mh disappear. We identify a cutoff ~10^{16} GeV for the LWSM due to the hypercharge gauge coupling hitting a Landau pole. Finally, we also discuss briefly the possible impact of the UV properties of the LW models on their behaviour at finite temperature, in particular regarding symmetry nonrestoration.

Radiative corrections and Z′

Radiative corrections to parity violating deep inelastic electron scattering (PVDIS) are reviewed including a discussion of the renormalization group evolution (RGE) of the weak mixing angle. Recently obtained results on hypothetical Z′ bosons—for which parity violating observables play an important role—are also presented.

One-loop matching and next-to-next-to-leading log resummation for all partonic2→2processes in QCD

The Wilson coefficients for all 4-parton operators which arise in matching QCD to soft-collinear effective theory (SCET) are computed at 1-loop. Any dijet observable calculated in SCET beyond leading order will require these results. The Wilson coefficients are separated by spin and color, although most applications will involve only the spin-averaged hard functions. The anomalous dimensions for the Wilson coefficients are given to 2-loop order, and the renormalization group equations are solved explicitly. This will allow for analytical resummation of dijet observables to next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy. For each channel, there is a natural basis in which the evolution is diagonal in color space. The same basis also diagonalizes the color evolution for the soft function. Even though soft functions required for SCET calculations are observable dependent, it is shown that their renormalization group evolution is almost completely determined by a universal structure. With these results, it will be possible to calculate hadronic event shapes or other dijet observables to next-to-leading order with next-to-next-to-leading log resummation.

Entropy Production during Asymptotically Safe Inflation

The Asymptotic Safety scenario predicts that the deep ultraviolet of Quantum Einstein Gravity is governed by a nontrivial renormalization group fixed point. Analyzing its implications for cosmology using renormalization group improved Einstein equations, we find that it can give rise to a phase of inflationary expansion in the early Universe. Inflation is a pure quantum effect here and requires no inflaton field. It is driven by the cosmological constant and ends automatically when the renormalization group evolution has reduced the vacuum energy to the level of the matter energy density. The quantum gravity effects also provide a natural mechanism for the generation of entropy. It could easily account for the entire entropy of the present Universe in the massless sector.

Erratum: Threshold and flavor effects in the renormalization group equations of the MSSM: Dimensionless couplings [Phys. Rev. D77, 055007 (2008)

In a theory with broken supersymmetry, gaugino couplings renormalize differently from gauge couplings, as do higgsino couplings from Higgs boson couplings. As a result, we expect the gauge (Higgs boson) couplings and the corresponding gaugino (higgsino) couplings to evolve to different values under renormalization group evolution. We re-examine the renormalization group equations (RGEs) for these couplings in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM). To include threshold effects, we calculate the $\beta$-functions using a sequence of (non-supersymmetric) effective theories with heavy particles decoupled at the scale of their mass. We find that the difference between the SM couplings and their SUSY cousins that is ignored in the literature may be larger than two-loop effects which are included, and further that renormalization group evolution induces a non-trivial flavour structure in gaugino interactions. We present here the coupled set of RGEs for these dimensionless gauge and "Yukawa"-type couplings. The RGEs for the dimensionful SSB parameters of the MSSM will be presented in a companion paper.

Viable gravity-mediated supersymmetry breaking

We present a complete, viable model of gravity-mediated supersymmetry breaking that is safe from all flavor constraints. The central new idea is to employ a supersymmetry breaking sector without singlets, but with D-terms comparable to F-terms, causing supersymmetry breaking to be dominantly communicated through U(1)_R-symmetric operators. We construct a visible sector that is an extension of the MSSM where an \emph{accidental} U(1)_R symmetry emerges naturally. Gauginos acquire Dirac masses from gravity-mediated D-terms, and tiny Majorana masses from anomaly-mediated contributions. Contributions to soft breaking scalar (mass)^2 arise from flavor-arbitrary gravity-induced F-terms plus one-loop finite flavor-blind contributions from Dirac gaugino masses. Renormalization group evolution of the gluino causes it to naturally increase nearly an order of magnitude larger than the squark masses. This hierarchy, combined with an accidentially U(1)_R-symmetric visible sector, nearly eliminates all flavor violation constraints on the model. If we also freely tune couplings and phases within the modest range 0.1-1, while maintaining nearly flavor-anarchic Planck-suppression contributions, we find our model to be safe from Delta m_K, epsilon_K, and mu -> e lepton flavor violation. Dangerous U(1)_R-violating K\"ahler operators in the Higgs sector are eliminated through a new gauged U(1)_X symmetry that is spontaneously broken with electroweak symmetry breaking. Kinetic mixing between U(1)_X and U(1)_Y is present with loop-suppressed (but log-enhanced) size epsilon. The Z' associated with this U(1)_X has very peculiar couplings -- it has order one strength to Higgs doublets and approximately epsilon strength to hypercharge. The Z' could be remarkably light and yet have escaped direct and indirect detection.

Similarity renormalization group evolution of chiral effective nucleon–nucleon potentials in the subtracted kernel method approach

Methods based on Wilson’s renormalization group have been successfully applied in the context of nuclear physics to analyze the scale dependence of effective nucleon–nucleon ( NN) potentials, as well as to consistently integrate out the high-momentum components of phenomenological high-precision NN potentials in order to derive phase-shift equivalent softer forms, the so called V low- k potentials. An alternative renormalization group approach that has been applied in this context is the similarity renormalization group (SRG), which is based on a series of continuous unitary transformations that evolve hamiltonians with a cutoff on energy differences. In this work we study the SRG evolution of a leading order (LO) chiral effective NN potential in the 1 S 0 channel derived within the framework of the subtracted kernel method (SKM), a renormalization scheme based on a subtracted scattering equation.

Exact one-loop evolution invariants in the standard model

Guided by considerations of flavour symmetry, we construct a set of exact Standard Model (SM) renormalisation group evolution invariants which link quark masses and mixing parameters. We examine their phenomenological implications and infer a simple combination of Yukawa coupling matrices which plays a unique role in the SM, suggesting a possible new insight into the observed spectrum of quark masses. Our evolution invariants are readily generalised to the leptons in the case of Dirac neutrinos, but do not appear to be relevant for either quarks or leptons in the MSSM.

Resonant production of the sterile neutrino dark matter and fine-tunings in the neutrino minimal standard model

The generation of lepton asymmetry below the electroweak scale has a considerable impact on production of dark matter sterile neutrinos. Oscillations or decays of the heavier sterile neutrinos in the neutrino minimal standard model can give rise to the requisite lepton asymmetry, provided the masses of the heavier neutrinos are sufficiently degenerate. We study the renormalization group evolution of the mass difference of these singlet fermions to understand the degree of necessary fine-tuning. We construct an example of the model that can lead to a technically natural realization of this low-energy degeneracy.

RENORMALIZATION GROUP EVOLUTION OF NEUTRINO MASSES AND MIXING IN SEESAW MODELS

We consider different extensions of the Standard Model which can give rise to the small active neutrino masses through seesaw mechanisms, and their mixing. These tiny neutrino masses are generated at some high energy scale by the heavy seesaw fields which then get sequentially decoupled to give an effective dimension-5 operator at the low energy. The renormalization group evolution of the masses and the mixing parameters of the three active neutrinos in the high energy as well as the low energy effective theory is reviewed in this paper.

Non-perturbative QEG corrections to the Yang–Mills beta function

We discuss the non-perturbative renormalization group evolution of the gauge coupling constant by using a truncated form of the functional flow equation for the effective average action of the Yang-Mills-gravity system. Our result is consistent with the conjecture that Quantum Einstein Gravity (QEG) is asymptotically safe and has a vanishing gauge coupling constant at the non-trivial fixed point.

Factorization at the LHC: From parton distribution functions to initial state jets

We study proton-(anti)proton collisions at the LHC or Tevatron in the presence of experimental restrictions on the hadronic final state and for generic parton momentum fractions. At the scale $Q$ of the hard interaction, factorization does not yield standard parton distribution functions (PDFs) for the initial state. The measurement restricting the hadronic final state introduces a new scale ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}\ensuremath{\ll}Q$ and probes the proton prior to the hard collision. This corresponds to evaluating the PDFs at the scale ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$. After the proton is probed, the incoming hard parton is contained in an initial-state jet, and the hard collision occurs between partons inside these jets rather than inside protons. The proper description of such initial-state jets requires ``beam functions''. At the scale ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$, the beam function factorizes into a convolution of calculable Wilson coefficients and PDFs. Below ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$, the initial-state evolution is described by the usual PDF evolution which changes $x$, while above ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$ it is governed by a different renormalization group evolution that sums double logarithms of ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}/Q$ and leaves $x$ fixed. As an example, we prove a factorization theorem for ``isolated Drell-Yan'', $pp\ensuremath{\rightarrow}X{\ensuremath{\ell}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\ell}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ where $X$ is restricted to have no central jets. We comment on the extension to cases where the hadronic final state contains a certain number of isolated central jets.

Consistent factorization of jet observables in exclusive multijet cross sections

We demonstrate the consistency at the next-to-leading-logarithmic (NLL) level of a factorization theorem based on Soft-Collinear Effective Theory (SCET) for jet shapes in e+e− collisions. We consider measuring jet observables in exclusive multijet final states defined with cone and kT-type jet algorithms. Consistency of the factorization theorem requires that the renormalization group evolution of hard, jet, and soft functions is such that the physical cross section is independent of the factorization scale μ. The anomalous dimensions of the various factorized pieces, however, depend on the color representation of jets, choice of jet observable, the number of jets whose shapes are measured, and the jet algorithm, making it highly nontrivial to satisfy the consistency condition. We demonstrate the intricate cancellations between anomalous dimensions that occur at the NLL level, so that, up to power corrections that we identify, our factorization of the jet shape distributions is consistent for any number of quark and gluon jets, for any number of jets whose shapes are measured or unmeasured, for any angular size R of the jets, and for any of the algorithms we consider. Corrections to these results are suppressed by the SCET expansion parameter λ (set by the ratio of the typical momentum in a jet transverse to the jet axis to the total jet energy) and in the jet separation measure 1/t2=tan2(R/2)/tan2(ψ/2), where ψ is the angular separation between jets. Our results can be used to calculate a wide variety of jet observables in multijet final states to NLL accuracy.

Running effects on lepton mixing angles in flavour models with type I seesaw

We study renormalization group running effects on neutrino mixing patterns when a (type I) seesaw model is implemented by suitable flavour symmetries. We are particularly interested in mass-independent mixing patterns to which the widely studied tribimaximal mixing pattern belongs. In this class of flavour models, the running contribution from neutrino Yukawa coupling, which is generally dominant at energies above the seesaw threshold, can be absorbed by a small shift on neutrino mass eigenvalues leaving mixing angles unchanged. Consequently, in the whole running energy range, the change in mixing angles is due to the contribution coming from charged lepton sector. Subsequently, we analyze in detail these effects in an explicit flavour model for tribimaximal neutrino mixing based on an A 4 discrete symmetry group. We find that for normally ordered light neutrinos, the tribimaximal prediction is essentially stable under renormalization group evolution. On the other hand, in the case of inverted hierarchy, the deviation of the solar angle from its TB value can be large depending on mass degeneracy, putting strong constraints on the flavour model.