Light quark masses can be determined through lattice simulations in regularization invariant momentum-subtraction(RI/MOM) schemes. Subsequently, matching factors, computed in continuum perturbation theory, are used in order to convert these quark mas
ses from a RI/MOM scheme to the MS-bar scheme. We calculate the two-loop corrections in quantum chromodynamics(QCD) to these matching factors as well as the three-loop mass anomalous dimensions for the RI/SMOM and RI/SMOM_gamma_mu schemes. These two schemes are characterized by a symmetric subtraction point. Providing the conversion factors in the two different schemes allows for a better understanding of the systematic uncertainties. The two-loop expansion coefficients of the matching factors for both schemes turn out to be small compared to the traditional RI/MOM schemes. For nf=3 quark flavors they are about 0.6-0.7% and 2%, respectively, of the leading order result at scales of about 2 GeV. Therefore, they will allow for a significant reduction of the systematic uncertainty of light quark mass determinations obtained through this approach. The determination of these matching factors requires the computation of amputated Greens functions with the insertions of quark bilinear operators. As a by-product of our calculation we also provide the corresponding results for the tensor operator.
We extend the Rome-Southampton regularization independent momentum-subtraction renormalization scheme(RI/MOM) for bilinear operators to one with a nonexceptional, symmetric subtraction point. Two-point Greens functions with the insertion of quark bil
inear operators are computed with scalar, pseudoscalar, vector, axial-vector and tensor operators at one-loop order in perturbative QCD. We call this new scheme RI/SMOM, where the S stands for symmetric. Conversion factors are derived, which connect the RI/SMOM scheme and the MSbar scheme and can be used to convert results obtained in lattice calculations into the MSbar scheme. Such a symmetric subtraction point involves nonexceptional momenta implying a lattice calculation with substantially suppressed contamination from infrared effects. Further, we find that the size of the one-loop corrections for these infrared improved kinematics is substantially decreased in the case of the pseudoscalar and scalar operator, suggesting a much better behaved perturbative series. Therefore it should allow us to reduce the error in the determination of the quark mass appreciably.
