We derive an effective classical theory for real-time SU($N$) gauge theories at high temperature. By separating off and integrating out quantum fluctuations we obtain a 3D classical path integral over the initial fields and conjugate momenta. The leading hard mode contribution is incorporated in the equations of motion for the classical fields. This yields the gauge invariant hard thermal loop (HTL) effective equation of motion. No gauge-variant terms are generated as in treatments with an intermediate momentum cut-off. Quantum corrections to classical correlation functions can be calculated perturbatively. The 4D renormalizability of the theory ensures that the 4D counterterms are sufficient to render the theory finite. The HTL contributions of the quantum fluctuations provide the counterterms for the linear divergences in the classical theory.
Real-time classical SU($N$) gauge theories at non-zero temperature contain linear divergences. We introduce counterterms for these divergences in the equations of motion in the continuum and on the lattice. These counterterms can be given in terms of auxiliary fields that satisfy local equations of motion. We present a lattice model with 6+1D auxiliary fields that for IR-sensitive quantities yields cut-off independent results to leading order in the coupling. Also an approximation with 5+1D auxiliary fields is discussed.
We describe a class of diffeomorphism invariant SU(N) gauge theories in N^2 dimensions, together with some matter couplings. These theories have (N^2-3)(N^2-1) local degrees of freedom, and have the unusual feature that the constraint associated with time reparametrizations is identically satisfied. A related class of SU(N) theories in N^2-1 dimensions has the constraint algebra of general relativity, but has more degrees of freedom. Non-perturbative quantization of the first type of theory via SU(N) spin networks is briefly outlined.
We discuss the existence of a conformal phase in SU(N) gauge theories in four dimensions. In this lattice study we explore the model in the bare parameter space, varying the lattice coupling and bare mass. Simulations are carried out with three colors and twelve flavors of dynamical staggered fermions in the fundamental representation. The analysis of the chiral order parameter and the mass spectrum of the theory indicates the restoration of chiral symmetry at zero temperature and the presence of a Coulomb-like phase, depicting a scenario compatible with the existence of an infrared stable fixed point at nonzero coupling. Our analysis supports the conclusion that the onset of the conformal window for QCD-like theories is smaller than Nf=12, before the loss of asymptotic freedom at sixteen and a half flavors. We discuss open questions and future directions.
We investigate the physical spectrum of vector-like SU(N) gauge theories with infrared coupling close to but above the critical value for a conformal phase transition. We use dispersion relations, the momentum dependence of the dynamical fermion mass and resonance saturation. We show that the second spectral function sum rule is substantially affected by the continuum contribution, allowing for a reduction of the axial vector - vector mass splitting with respect to QCD-like theories. In technicolor theories, this feature can result in a small or even negative contribution to the electroweak S parameter.
Considering marginally relevant and relevant deformations of the weakly coupled $(3+1)$-dimensional large $N$ conformal gauge theories introduced in arXiv:2011.13981, we study the patterns of phase transitions in these systems that lead to a symmetry-broken phase in the high temperature limit. These deformations involve only the scalar fields in the models. The marginally relevant deformations are obtained by varying certain double trace quartic couplings between the scalar fields. The relevant deformations, on the other hand, are obtained by adding masses to the scalar fields while keeping all the couplings frozen at their fixed point values. At the $Nrightarrowinfty$ limit, the RG flows triggered by these deformations approach the aforementioned weakly coupled CFTs in the UV regime. These UV fixed points lie on a conformal manifold with the shape of a circle in the space of couplings. In certain parameter regimes a subset of points on this manifold exhibits thermal order characterized by the spontaneous breaking of a global $mathbb Z_2$ or $U(1)$ symmetry and Higgsing of a subset of gauge bosons at all nonzero temperatures. We show that the RG flows triggered by the marginally relevant deformations lead to a weakly coupled IR fixed point which lacks the thermal order. Thus, the systems defined by these RG flows undergo a transition from a disordered phase at low temperatures to an ordered phase at high temperatures. This provides examples of both inverse symmetry breaking and symmetry nonrestoration. For the relevant deformations, we demonstrate that a variety of phase transitions are possible depending on the signs and magnitudes of the masses (squared) added to the scalar fields. Using thermal perturbation theory, we derive the approximate values of the critical temperatures for all these phase transitions. All the results are obtained at the $Nrightarrowinfty$ limit.