Scale Invariant Theory Research Articles

A note on Weyl gauge symmetry in gravity

Abstract A scale invariant theory of gravity, containing at most two derivatives, requires, in addition to the Riemannian metric, a scalar field and (or) a gauge field. The gauge field is usually used to construct the affine connection of Weyl geometry. In this note, we incorporate both the gauge field and the scalar field to build a generalised scale invariant Weyl affine connection. The Ricci tensor and the Ricci scalar made out of this generalised Weyl affine connection contain, naturally, kinetic terms for the scalar field and the gauge field. This provides a geometric interpretation for these terms. It is also shown that scale invariance in the presence of a cosmological constant and mass terms is not completely lost. It becomes a duality transformation relating various fields.

Functional renormalization group approach to dipolar fixed point which is scale invariant but nonconformal

A dipolar fixed point introduced by Aharony and Fisher is a physical example of interacting scale-invariant but nonconformal field theories. We find that the perturbative critical exponents computed in ε expansions violate the conformal bootstrap bound. We formulate the functional renormalization group equations Wetterich and Polchinski to study the fixed point. We present some results in three dimensions within (uncontrolled) local potential approximations (with or without perturbative anomalous dimensions). Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Dilaton in a multicritical 3+epsilon-D parity violating field theory

The multi-critical behavior of an approximately scale and conformal invariant quantum field theory, which can be regarded as the deformation of the critical Gross-Neveu model in 3+epsilon dimensions by a nearly marginal parity violating operator, is studied using a large N expansion. When epsilon is greater than a number of order 1/N, the deformation is marginally relevant and it is found to exhibit spontaneous breaking of the approximate scale symmetry accompanied by the appearance of a light scalar in its spectrum. The scalar mass is parametrically small, of order epsilon times the fermion mass and it can be identified with a light dilaton. When the dimension is reduced to 3 the deformation of the Gross-Neveu model becomes marginally irrelevant, what was a minimum of the potential becomes a maximum and the theory has a non-perturbative global instability. There is a metastable perturbative phase where the scalar does not condense and the fermions are massless separated by an energy barrier with height of order one (rather than N) from an energetically favored phase with a runaway condensate.

Manifestly covariant variational principle for gauge theories of gravity

A variational principle for gauge theories of gravity is presented, which maintains manifest covariance under the symmetries to which the action is invariant, throughout the calculation of the equations of motion and conservation laws. This is performed by deriving explicit manifestly covariant expressions for the Euler-Lagrange variational derivatives and Noether’s theorems for a generic action of the form typically assumed in gauge theories of gravity. The approach is illustrated by application to two scale-invariant gravitational gauge theories, namely Weyl gauge theory (WGT) and the recently proposed ‘extended’ Weyl gauge theory (eWGT), where the latter may be considered as a novel gauging of the conformal group; the method can also be straightforwardly applied to other theories with smaller or larger symmetry groups. In addition, the approach enables one easily to establish the relationship between manifestly covariant forms of variational derivatives obtained when one or more of the gauge field strengths is set to zero either before or after the variation is performed. This is illustrated explicitly for both WGT and eWGT in the case where the translational gauge field strength (or torsion) is set to zero before and after performing the variation, respectively. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Quantum scale invariance in gauge theories and applications to muon production

We discuss quantum scale invariance in (scale invariant) gauge theories with both ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) divergences. Firstly, their BRST invariance is checked in two apparently unrelated approaches using a scale invariant regularisation (SIR). These approaches are then shown to be equivalent. Secondly, for the Abelian case we discuss both UV and IR quantum corrections present in such theories. We present the Feynman rules in a form suitable for offshell Green functions calculations, together with their one-loop renormalisation. This information is then used for the muon production cross section at one-loop in a quantum scale invariant theory. Such a theory contains not only new UV poles but also IR poles. While the UV poles bring new quantum corrections (in the form of counterterms), finite or divergent, that we compute, it is shown that the IR poles do not bring new physics. The IR quantum corrections, both finite and divergent, cancel out similarly to the way the IR poles themselves cancel in the traditional approach to IR divergences (in the cross section, after summing over virtual and real corrections). Hence, the evanescent interactions induced by the scale-invariant analytical continuation of the SIR scheme do not affect IR physics, as illustrated at one-loop for the muon production ($e^+ e^- \to \mu^+\mu^-$) cross section.

Quenched random mass disorder in the large N theory of vector bosons

We study the critical bosonic O(N) vector model with quenched random mass disorder in the large N limit. Due to the replicated action which is sometimes not bounded from below, we avoid the replica trick and adopt a traditional approach to directly compute the disorder averaged physical observables. At N=\infty, we can exactly solve the disordered model. The resulting low energy behavior can be described by two scale invariant theories, one of which has an intrinsic scale. At finite N, we find that the previously proposed attractive disordered fixed point at d=2 continues to exist at d=2+\epsilon spatial dimensions. We also studied the system in the 3<d<4 spatial dimensions where the disorder is relevant at the Gaussian fixed point. However, no physical attractive fixed point is found right below four spatial dimensions. Nevertheless, the stable fixed point at 2+\epsilon dimensions can still survive at d=3 where the system has experimental realizations. Some critical exponents are predicted in order to be checked by future numerics and experiments.

No-go theorem for scalar-trispectrum-induced gravitational waves

We show that the contribution of the primordial trispectrum to the energy density of the scalar-induced stochastic gravitational wave background cannot exceed the one from the scalar power spectrum in conventional inflationary scenarios. Specifically, we prove in the context of scale-invariant theories that neither regular trispectrum shapes peaking in so-called equilateral configurations, nor local trispectrum shapes diverging in soft momentum limits, can contribute significantly. Indeed, those contributions are always bound to be smaller than an order-one (or smaller) number multiplying the relative one-loop correction to the scalar power spectrum, necessarily much smaller than unity in order for the theory to be under perturbative control. Since a no-go theorem is only worth its assumptions, we also briefly discuss a toy model for a scale-dependent scalar spectrum, which confirms the robustness of our no-go result.

Non-metric geometry as the origin of mass in gauge theories of scale invariance

We discuss gauge theories of scale invariance beyond the Standard Model (SM) and Einstein gravity. A consequence of gauging this symmetry is that their underlying 4D geometry is non-metric (nabla _mu g_{alpha beta }!not =!0). Examples of such theories are Weyl’s original quadratic gravity theory and its Palatini version. These theories have spontaneous breaking of the gauged scale symmetry to Einstein gravity. All mass scales have a geometric origin: the Planck scale (M_p), cosmological constant (Lambda ) and the mass of the Weyl gauge boson (omega _mu ) of scale symmetry are proportional to a scalar field vev that has an origin in the (geometric) {tilde{R}}^2 term in the action. With omega _mu of non-metric geometry origin, the SM Higgs field also has a similar origin, generated by Weyl boson fusion in the early Universe. This appears as a microscopic realisation of “matter creation from geometry” discussed in the thermodynamics of open systems applied to cosmology. Unlike in local scale invariant theories (with no omega _mu present) with an underlying pseudo-Riemannian geometry, in our case: (1) there are no ghosts and no additional fields beyond the SM and underlying Weyl or Palatini geometry, (2) the cosmological constant is positive and is small because gravity is weak, (3) the Weyl or Palatini connection shares the Weyl (gauge) symmetry of the action, and: (4) there exists a non-trivial, conserved Weyl current of this symmetry. An intuitive picture of non-metricity and its relation to mass generation is also provided from a solid state physics perspective where it is common and is associated with point defects (metric anomalies) of the crystalline structure.

MOND as a peculiar case of the SIV theory

ABSTRACTThe scale invariant theory is preserving the fundamental physical properties of General Relativity, while enlarging the group of invariances subtending gravitation theory (Dirac 1973; Canuto et al. 1977). The scale-invariant vacuum (SIV) theory assumes as gauging condition that ‘The macroscopic empty space is scale invariant, homogeneous, and isotropic’. Some basic properties in Weyl’s Integrable Geometry and cotensor calculus are examined in relation with scalar–tensor theories. Possible scale invariant effects are strongly reduced by matter density, both at the cosmological and local levels. The weak field limit of SIV tends to MOND when the scale factor is taken as constant, an approximation valid (<1 per cent) over the last 400 Myr. A better understanding of the a0-parameter is obtained: it corresponds to the equilibrium point of the Newtonian and SIV dynamical acceleration. Parameter a0 is not a universal constant, it depends on the density and age of the Universe. As MOND is doing, SIV theory avoids the call to dark matter, moreover the cosmological models predict accelerated expansion.

Origin of the Proton Mass

Atomic nuclei lie at the core of everything visible; and at the first level of approximation, their atomic weights are simply the sum of the masses of all the neutrons and protons (nucleons) they contain. Each nucleon has a mass mN ≈ 1 GeV ≈ 2000-times the electron mass. The Higgs boson – discovered at the large hadron collider in 2012, a decade ago – produces the latter, but what generates the nucleon mass? This is a pivotal question. The answer is widely supposed to lie within quantum chromodynamics (QCD), the strong-interaction piece of the Standard Model. Yet, it is far from obvious. In fact, removing Higgs-boson couplings into QCD, one arrives at a scale invariant theory, which, classically, can’t support any masses at all. This contribution sketches forty years of developments in QCD, which suggest a solution to the puzzle, and highlight some of the experiments that can validate the picture.

A dilaton-axion model for string cosmology

The generic scale-invariant theory of an axion and a dilaton coupled to gravity in d-dimensions is generalized to a ‘universal’ one-axion model with two dilatons that reproduces itself under consistent dimensional-reduction/truncation. Flat FLRW cosmologies are shown to correspond to trajectories of a three-dimensional autonomous dynamical system, which we analyse with a focus on accelerated cosmic expansion, deriving the precise swampland bounds that exclude eternal acceleration. We also show that for two sets of values of its three independent parameters, the model is a consistent truncation of maximal ‘massive’ supergravity theories arising from string/M-theory; for these maximal-supergravity parameter values the FLRW cosmologies include some with a transient de Sitter-like phase, but not the recurring de Sitter-like phase or eternal cosmic acceleration that is possible for other parameter values.

Holographic models of composite Higgs in the Veneziano limit. Part II. Fermionic sector

We continue our study of strongly-coupled, approximately scale-invariant gauge theories with a large number of flavours, which provide a suitable ultraviolet completion of the composite-Higgs scenario. We identify the requisite operators to realise partial compositeness of the Standard-Model fermions. In order to compute the spectrum of composite fermionic states, we extend the bottom-up holographic models, which we previously introduced to capture the main features of the non-perturbative dynamics in the Veneziano limit, by adding fermion fields in the bulk. We identify regions in parameter space where some fermionic bound states become light, depending in particular on the number of flavours, the operator scaling dimensions, and the bulk Yukawa couplings. We also observe a dense spectrum of states, when multi-scale dynamics is induced by a large backreaction of bulk scalars on the geometry. Adapting the formalism of the holographic Wilsonian renormalisation group, we study the linear coupling between the composite and elementary fermions, as a function of energy scale. We find that, in some circumstances, the associated operators are dangerously irrelevant: the renormalisation-group flow gives rise to a large linear coupling in the infrared, even when it is irrelevant from the point of view of the ultraviolet fixed point. We finally compute the partially composite spectrum, correlate it with the analysis of the flow, and assess the potential phenomenological implications, e.g. for the top-quark partners.

Time scaling of entanglement in integrable scale-invariant theories

In two dimensional isotropic scale invariant theories, the time scaling of the entanglement entropy of a segment is fixed via the conformal symmetry. We consider scale invariance in a more general sense and show that in integrable theories that the scale invariance is anisotropic between time and space, parametrized by $z$, most of the entanglement is carried by the slow modes for $z>1$. At early times entanglement grows linearly due to the contribution of the fast modes, before smoothly entering a slow mode regime where it grows forever with $t^{\frac{1}{1-z}}$. The slow mode regime admits a logarithmic enhancement in bosonic theories. We check our analytical results against numerical simulations in corresponding fermionic and bosonic lattice models finding extremely good agreement. We show that in these non-relativistic theories that the slow modes are dominant, local quantum information is universally scrambled in a stronger way compared to their relativistic counterparts.

Scale invariant FIMP miracle

We study the freeze-in production of vector dark matter (DM) in a classically scale invariant theory, where the Standard Model (SM) is augmented with an abelian U(1) X gauge symmetry that is spontaneously broken due to the non-zero vacuum expectation value (VEV) of a scalar charged under the U(1) X . Generating the SM Higgs mass at 1-loop level, it leaves only two parameters in the dark sector, namely, the DM mass mX and the gauge coupling gX as independent, and supplement with a naturally light dark scalar particle. We show, for gX ~ \U0001d4aa(10-5), it is possible to produce the DM X out-of-equilibrium in the early Universe, satisfying the observed relic abundance for mX ~ \U0001d4aa(TeV), which in turn also determines the scalar mixing angle sinθ ~ \U0001d4aa(10-5). The presence of such naturally light scalar mediator with tiny mixing with the SM,opens up the possibility for the model to be explored in direct search experiment, which otherwise is insensitive to standard freeze-in scenarios. Moreover we show that even with such feeble couplings, necessary for the DM freeze-in, the scenario is testable in several light dark sector searches (e.g., in DUNE and in FASER-II),satisfying constraints from the observed relic abundance as well as big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN). Particularly, we find, regions in the parameter space with mX ≳ 1.8 TeV becomes insensitive to direct detection probe but still can be accessible in lifetime frontier searches, again courtesy to the underlying scale invariance of the theory.

Cornering the universal shape of fluctuations

Understanding the fluctuations of observables is one of the main goals in science, be it theoretical or experimental, quantum or classical. We investigate such fluctuations in a subregion of the full system, focusing on geometries with sharp corners. We report that the angle dependence is super-universal: up to a numerical prefactor, this function does not depend on anything, provided the system under study is uniform, isotropic, and correlations do not decay too slowly. The prefactor contains important physical information: we show in particular that it gives access to the long-wavelength limit of the structure factor. We exemplify our findings with fractional quantum Hall states, topological insulators, scale invariant quantum critical theories, and metals. We suggest experimental tests, and anticipate that our findings can be generalized to other spatial dimensions or geometries. In addition, we highlight the similarities of the fluctuation shape dependence with findings relating to quantum entanglement measures.

Scale invariance and dilaton mass

We consider a generic scale invariant scalar quantum field theory and its symmetry breakdown. Based on the dimension counting identity, we give a concise proof that dilaton is exactly massless at the classical level if scale invariance is broken spontaneously. On the other hand, on the basis of the generalized dimension counting identity, we prove that the dilaton becomes massive at the quantum level if scale invariance is explicitly broken by quantum anomaly. It is pointed out that a subtlety occurs when scale invariance is spontaneously broken through a scale invariant regularization method where the renormalization scale is replaced with the dilaton field. In this case, the dilaton remains massless even at the quantum level after spontaneous symmetry breakdown of scale symmetry, but when the massless dilaton couples non-minimally to the Einstein-Hilbert term and is applied for cosmology, it is phenomenologically ruled out by solar system tests unless its coupling to matters is much suppressed compared to the gravitational interaction.

Anomalous dimensions at large charge for U(N)×U(N) theory in three and four dimensions

Recently it was shown that the scaling dimension of the operator $\phi^n$ in $\lambda(\bar\phi\phi)^2$ theory may be computed semiclassically at the Wilson-Fisher fixed point in $d=4-\epsilon$, for generic values of $\lambda n$, and this was verified to two loop order in perturbation theory at leading and subleading $n$. This result was subsequently generalised to operators of fixed charge $Q$ in $O(N)$ theory and verified up to four loops in perturbation theory at leading and subleading $Q$. More recently, similar semiclassical calculations have been performed for the classically scale-invariant $U(N)\times U(N)$ theory in four dimensions, and verified up to two loops, once again at leading and subleading $Q$. Here we extend this verification to four loops. We also consider the corresponding classically scale-invariant theory in three dimensions, similarly verifying the leading and subleading semiclassical results up to four loops in perturbation theory.

Scale-invariant supergravity theory in component formulation

We formulate N=1 supergravity theory in four-dimensions with local scale invariance in semi-on-shell component formulation in four dimensions. The algebra we adopt has the generators (Pm,Mmn,Qα,S) consisting of the generators in super-Poincaré algebra: (Pm,Mmn,Qα) with 4+6+4 components, and that of local scale-transformation S with one additional component. Our field content consists of the on-shell multiplet of supergravity (eμm,ψμα), the tensor multiplet (Bμν,χα,φ) and the ‘Weylon multiplet’ (Sμ,ρα,Cμνρ), where Sμ is the Weylon that gauges local scale symmetry, ψμ,χ and ρ are Majorana spinors, while Cμνρ is a tensor auxiliary field. Similar to the non-supersymmetric case that has no minimal coupling between the Sμ-field and spin 1/2 field, the Weylon does not minimally couple to spin 3/2 gravitino field in our locally supersymmetric generalization. By going to the Einstein frame from the original Jordan frame, we show that our system is equivalent to a system with the gauged dilaton-shift symmetry. This implies that our system bypasses persistent dilaton-related problems, avoiding a long-distance force for a massless dilaton, a minimum value of its potential, or a run-away vacuum.

Non-local probes of entanglement in the scale-invariant gravity

In this paper, we study the generic action for the scale-invariant theory of gravity and then by making use of the holographic methods, we compute some specific holographic measures of entanglement. Precisely, we calculate the entanglement entropy, mutual and tripartite information and show that the mutual information is always positive while the tripartite information becomes negative. This indeed recovers the monogamy property of mutual information in this context.

Holographic models of composite Higgs in the Veneziano limit. Part I. Bosonic sector

We study strongly-coupled, approximately scale-invariant gauge theories, which develop a mass gap in the infrared. We argue that a large number of fermion flavours is most suitable to provide an ultraviolet completion for the composite Higgs scenario. The holographic approach allows to describe the qualitative features of the non-perturbative dynamics in the Veneziano limit. We introduce new bottom-up holographic models, which incorporate the backreaction of flavour on the geometry, and show that this can correlate the mass gap to the scale of flavour-symmetry breaking. We compute the mass spectrum for the various composite bosonic states, and study its dependence on the scaling dimension of the symmetry-breaking operators, as well as on the number of flavours. The different regions with a light dilaton are critically surveyed. We carefully assess the domain of validity of the holographic approach, and compare it with lattice simulations and the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model.