Three-particle Quantization Condition Research Articles

Relativistic-invariant formulation of the NREFT three-particle quantization condition

A three-particle quantization condition on the lattice is written down in a manifestly relativistic-invariant form by using a generalization of the non-relativistic effective field theory (NREFT) approach. Inclusion of the higher partial waves is explicitly addressed. A partial diagonalization of the quantization condition into the various irreducible representations of the (little groups of the) octahedral group has been carried out both in the center-of-mass frame and in moving frames. Furthermore, producing synthetic data in a toy model, the relativistic invariance is explicitly demonstrated for the three-body bound state spectrum.

Implementing the three-particle quantization condition for π+π+K+ and related systems

Recently, the formalism needed to relate the finite-volume spectrum of systems of nondegenerate spinless particles has been derived. In this work we discuss a range of issues that arise when implementing this formalism in practice, provide further theoretical results that can be used to check the implementation, and make available codes for implementing the three-particle quantization condition. Specifically, we discuss the need to modify the upper limit of the cutoff function due to the fact that the left-hand cut in the scattering amplitudes for two nondegenerate particles moves closer to threshold; we describe the decomposition of the three-particle amplitude mathcal{K} df,3 into the matrix basis used in the quantization condition, including both s and p waves, with the latter arising in the amplitude for two nondegenerate particles; we derive the threshold expansion for the lightest three-particle state in the rest frame up to mathcal{O} (1/L5); and we calculate the leading-order predictions in chiral perturbation theory for mathcal{K} df,3 in the π+π+K+ and π+K+K+ systems. We focus mainly on systems with two identical particles plus a third that is different (“2+1” systems). We describe the formalism in full detail, and present numerical explorations in toy models, in particular checking that the results agree with the threshold expansion, and making a prediction for the spectrum of π+π+K+ levels using the two- and three-particle interactions predicted by chiral perturbation theory.

Three-body interactions from the finite-volume QCD spectrum

We perform a fit of the finite-volume QCD spectrum of three pions at maximal isospin to constrain the three-body force. We use the unitarity-based relativistic three-particle quantization condition, with the GWUQCD spectrum obtained at 315 MeV and 220 MeV pion mass in two-flavor QCD. For the heavier pion mass we find that the data is consistent with a constant contact term close to zero, whereas for the lighter mass we see a statistically significant energy dependence in tension with the prediction of leading order ChPT. Our results also suggest that with enough three-body energy levels, the two-body amplitude could be constrained.

Relativistic three-particle quantization condition for nondegenerate scalars

The formalism relating the relativistic three-particle infinite-volume scattering amplitude to the finite-volume spectrum has been developed thus far only for identical or degenerate particles. We provide the generalization to the case of three nondegenerate scalar particles with arbitrary masses. A key quantity in this formalism is the quantization condition, which relates the spectrum to an intermediate K matrix. We derive three versions of this quantization condition, each a natural generalization of the corresponding results for identical particles. In each case we also determine the integral equations relating the intermediate K matrix to the three-particle scattering amplitude, $\mathcal M_3$. The version that is likely to be most practical involves a single Lorentz-invariant intermediate K matrix, $\widetilde{\mathcal K}_{\rm df,3}$. The other versions involve a matrix of K matrices, with elements distinguished by the choice of which initial and final particles are the spectators. Our approach should allow a straightforward generalization of the relativistic approach to all other three-particle systems of interest.

Alternative derivation of the relativistic three-particle quantization condition

We present a simplified derivation of the relativistic three-particle quantization condition for identical, spinless particles described by a generic relativistic field theory satisfying a $\mathbb Z_2$ symmetry. The simplification is afforded by using a three-particle quasilocal K matrix that is not fully symmetrized, $\widetilde{\mathcal{K}}_{\rm df,3}^{(u,u)}$, and makes extensive use of time-ordered perturbation theory (TOPT). We obtain a new form of the quantization condition. This new form can then be related algebraically to the standard quantization condition, which depends on a fully symmetric three-particle K matrix, $\mathcal{K}_{\rm df,3}$. The new derivation is fully explicit, allowing, for example, a closed-form expression for $\mathcal{K}_{\rm df,3}$ to be given in terms of TOPT amplitudes. The new form of the quantization condition is similar in structure to that obtained in the "finite-volume unitarity" approach, and in a companion paper we make this connection concrete. Our simplified approach should also allow a more straightforward generalization of the quantization condition to nondegenerate particles, and perhaps also to more than three particles.

Equivalence of relativistic three-particle quantization conditions

We show that a recently derived alternative form of the relativistic three-particle quantization condition for identical particles can be rewritten in terms of the R matrix introduced to give a unitary representation of the infinite-volume three-particle scattering amplitude. Combined with earlier work, this shows the equivalence of the relativistic effective field theory approach of Hansen and Sharpe (Refs.[1,2]) and the "finite-volume unitarity" approach of Mai and D\"oring (Refs.[3,4]). It also provides a generalization of the latter approach to arbitrary angular momenta of two-particle subsystems.

Generalizing the relativistic quantization condition to include all three-pion isospin channels

We present a generalization of the relativistic, finite-volume, three-particle quantization condition for non-identical pions in isosymmetric QCD. The resulting formalism allows one to use discrete finite-volume energies, determined using lattice QCD, to constrain scattering amplitudes for all possible values of two- and three-pion isospin. As for the case of identical pions considered previously, the result splits into two steps: the first defines a non-perturbative function with roots equal to the allowed energies, En(L), in a given cubic volume with side-length L. This function depends on an intermediate three-body quantity, denoted {mathcal{K}}_{mathrm{df},3,} which can thus be constrained from lattice QCD in- put. The second step is a set of integral equations relating {mathcal{K}}_{mathrm{df},3} to the physical scattering amplitude, ℳ3. Both of the key relations, En(L) ↔ {mathcal{K}}_{mathrm{df},3} and {mathcal{K}}_{mathrm{df},3}leftrightarrow {mathrm{mathcal{M}}}_3, are shown to be block-diagonal in the basis of definite three-pion isospin, Iπππ , so that one in fact recovers four independent relations, corresponding to Iπππ = 0, 1, 2, 3. We also provide the generalized threshold expansion of {mathcal{K}}_{mathrm{df},3} for all channels, as well as parameterizations for all three-pion resonances present for Iπππ = 0 and Iπππ = 1. As an example of the utility of the generalized formalism, we present a toy implementation of the quantization condition for Iπππ = 0, focusing on the quantum numbers of the ω and h1 resonances.

I=3 Three-Pion Scattering Amplitude from Lattice QCD.

We analyze the spectrum of two- and three-pion states of maximal isospin obtained recently for isosymmetric QCD with pion mass M≈200 MeV in Hörz and Hanlon, [Phys. Rev. Lett. 123, 142002 (2019)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.123.142002]. Using the relativistic three-particle quantization condition, we find ∼2σ evidence for a nonzero value for the contact part of the 3π^{+} (I=3) scattering amplitude. We also compare our results to leading-order chiral perturbation theory. We find good agreement at threshold and some tension in the energy dependent part of the 3π^{+} scattering amplitude. We also find that the 2π^{+} (I=2) spectrum is fit well by an s-wave phase shift that incorporates the expected Adler zero.

Lattice QCD and Three-Particle Decays of Resonances

Most strong-interaction resonances have decay channels involving three or more particles, including many of the recently discovered X, Y, and Z resonances. In order to study such resonances from first principles using lattice QCD, one must understand finite-volume effects for three particles in the cubic box used in calculations. We review efforts to develop a three-particle quantization condition that relates finite-volume energies to infinite-volume scattering amplitudes. We describe in detail the three approaches that have been followed, and present new results on the relationship between the corresponding results. We show examples of the numerical implementation of all three approaches and point out the important issues that remain to be resolved.

Two- and Three-Pion Finite-Volume Spectra at Maximal Isospin from Lattice QCD.

We present the three-pion spectrum with maximal isospin in a finite volume determined from lattice QCD, including excited states in addition to the ground states across various irreducible representations at zero and nonzero total momentum. The required correlation functions, from which the spectrum is extracted, are computed using a newly implemented algorithm which speeds up the computation by more than an order of magnitude. On a subset of the data we extract a nonzero value of the three-pion threshold scattering amplitude using the 1/L expansion of the three-particle quantization condition, which consistently describes all states at zero total momentum. The finite-volume spectrum is publicly available to facilitate further explorations within the available three-particle finite-volume approaches.

Numerical exploration of three relativistic particles in a finite volume including two-particle resonances and bound states

In this work, we use an extension of the quantization condition, given in ref. [1], to numerically explore the finite-volume spectrum of three relativistic particles, in the case that two-particle subsets are either resonant or bound. The original form of the relativistic three-particle quantization condition was derived under a technical assumption on the two- particle K matrix that required the absence of two-particle bound states or narrow two- particle resonances. Here we describe how this restriction can be lifted in a simple way using the freedom in the definition of the K-matrix-like quantity that enters the quantization condition. With this in hand, we extend previous numerical studies of the quantization condition to explore the finite-volume signature for a variety of two- and three-particle interactions. We determine the spectrum for parameters such that the system contains both dimers (two-particle bound states) and one or more trimers (in which all three particles are bound), and also for cases where the two-particle subchannel is resonant. We also show how the quantization condition provides a tool for determining infinite-volume dimer- particle scattering amplitudes for energies below the dimer breakup. We illustrate this for a series of examples, including one that parallels physical deuteron-nucleon scattering. All calculations presented here are restricted to the case of three identical scalar particles.

Energy shift of the three-particle system in a finite volume

Using the three-particle quantization condition recently obtained in the particle-dimer framework, the finite-volume energy shift of the two lowest three-particle scattering states is derived up to and including order $L^{-6}$. Furthermore, assuming that a stable dimer exists in the infinite volume, the shift for the lowest particle-dimer scattering state is obtained up to and including order $L^{-3}$. The result for the lowest three-particle state agrees with the results from the literature, and the result for the lowest particle-dimer state reproduces the one obtained by using the Luescher equation.

Implementing the three-particle quantization condition including higher partial waves

We present an implementation of the relativistic three-particle quantization condition including both s- and d-wave two-particle channels. For this, we develop a systematic expansion of the three-particle K matrix, mathcal{K} df,3, about threshold, which is the generalization of the effective range expansion of the two-particle K matrix, mathcal{K} 2. Relativistic invariance plays an important role in this expansion. We find that d-wave two-particle channels enter first at quadratic order. We explain how to implement the resulting multichannel quantization condition, and present several examples of its application. We derive the leading dependence of the threshold three-particle state on the two-particle d-wave scattering amplitude, and use this to test our implementation. We show how strong two-particle d-wave interactions can lead to significant effects on the finite-volume three-particle spectrum, including the possibility of a generalized three-particle Efimov-like bound state. We also explore the application to the 3π+ system, which is accessible to lattice QCD simulations, where we study the sensitivity of the spectrum to the components of mathcal{K} df,3. Finally, we investigate the circumstances under which the quantization condition has unphysical solutions.

Three-particle systems with resonant subprocesses in a finite volume

In previous work, we have developed a relativistic, model-independent three-particle quantization condition, but only under the assumption that no poles are present in the two-particle K matrices that appear as scattering subprocesses. Here we lift this restriction, by deriving the quantization condition for identical scalar particles with a G-parity symmetry, in the case that the two-particle K matrix has a pole in the kinematic regime of interest. As in earlier work, our result involves intermediate infinite-volume quantities with no direct physical interpretation, and we show how these are related to the physical three-to-three scattering amplitude by integral equations. This work opens the door to study processes such as $a_2 \to \rho \pi \to \pi \pi \pi$, in which the $\rho$ is rigorously treated as a resonance state.

Numerical study of the relativistic three-body quantization condition in the isotropic approximation

We present numerical results showing how our recently proposed relativistic three-particle quantization condition can be used in practice. Using the isotropic (generalized $s$-wave) approximation, and keeping only the leading terms in the effective range expansion, we show how the quantization condition can be solved numerically in a straightforward manner. In addition, we show how the integral equations that relate the intermediate three-particle infinite-volume scattering quantity, $\mathcal K_{\text{df},3}$, to the physical scattering amplitude can be solved at and below threshold. We test our methods by reproducing known analytic results for the $1/L$ expansion of the threshold state, the volume dependence of three-particle bound-state energies, and the Bethe-Salpeter wavefunctions for these bound states. We also find that certain values of $\mathcal K_{\text{df},3}$ lead to unphysical finite-volume energies, and give a preliminary analysis of these artifacts.

Three-body spectrum in a finite volume: The role of cubic symmetry

The three-particle quantization condition is partially diagonalized in the center-of-mass frame by using cubic symmetry on the lattice. To this end, instead of spherical harmonics, the kernel of the Bethe-Salpeter equation for particle-dimer scattering is expanded in the basis functions of different irreducible representations of the octahedral group. Such a projection is of particular importance for the three-body problem in the finite volume due to the occurrence of three-body singularities above breakup. Additionally, we study the numerical solution and properties of such a projected quantization condition in a simple model. It is shown that, for large volumes, these solutions allow for an instructive interpretation of the energy eigenvalues in terms of bound and scattering states.

Extracting observables from lattice data in the three-particle sector

The three-particle quantization condition is derived, using the particle-dimer picture in the non-relativistic effective field theory. The procedure for the extraction of various observables in the three-particle sector (the particle-dimer scattering amplitudes, breakup amplitudes, etc.) from the finite-volume lattice spectrum is discussed in detail. As an illustration of the general formalism, the expression for the finite-volume energy shift of the three-body bound-state in the unitary limit is re-derived. The role of the threebody force, which is essential for the renormalization, is highlighted, and the extension of the result beyond the unitary limit is studied. Comparison with other approaches, known in the literature, is carried out.

Three-particle quantization condition in a finite volume: 2. General formalism and the analysis of data

We derive the three-body quantization condition in a finite volume using an effective field theory in the particle-dimer picture. Moreover, we consider the extraction of physical observables from the lattice spectrum using the quantization condition. To illustrate the general framework, we calculate the volume-dependent three-particle spectrum in a simple model both below and above the three-particle threshold. The relation to existing approaches is discussed in detail.

Three-particle quantization condition in a finite volume: 1. The role of the three-particle force

Using non-relativistic effective Lagrangians in the particle-dimer picture, we rederive the expression for the energy shift of a loosely bound three-particle bound state of identical bosons in the unitary limit. The effective field theory formalism allows us to explicitly investigate the role of the three-particle force. Moreover, we discuss relaxing the unitary limit of infinite scattering length and demonstrate a smooth transition from the weakly bound three-particle state to a two-particle bound state of a particle and a deeply bound dimer.

Erratum: Threshold expansion of the three-particle quantization condition [Phys. Rev. D 93 , 096006 (2016)

We recently derived a quantization condition for the energy of three relativistic particles in a cubic box. Here we use this condition to study the energy level closest to the three-particle threshold when the total three-momentum vanishes. We expand this energy in powers of $1/L$, where $L$ is the linear extent of the finite volume. The expansion begins at ${\cal O}(1/L^3)$, and we determine the coefficients of the terms through ${\cal O}(1/L^6)$. As is also the case for the two-particle threshold energy, the $1/L^3$, $1/L^4$ and $1/L^5$ coefficients depend only on the two-particle scattering length $a$. These can be compared to previous results obtained using nonrelativistic quantum mechanics and we find complete agreement. The $1/L^6$ coefficients depend additionally on the two-particle effective range $r$ (just as in the two-particle case) and on a suitably defined threshold three-particle scattering amplitude (a new feature for three particles). A second new feature in the three-particle case is that logarithmic dependence on $L$ appears at $\mathcal O(1/L^6)$. Relativistic effects enter at this order, and the only comparison possible with the nonrelativistic result is for the coefficient of the logarithm, where we again find agreement. For a more thorough check of the $1/L^6$ result, and thus of the quantization condition, we also compare to a perturbative calculation of the threshold energy in relativistic $\lambda \phi^4$ theory, which we have recently presented. Here all terms can be compared and we find full agreement.