122620648
Renormalization-scheme ambiguity and perturbation theory near a fixed point
We consider the perturbative calculation of critical exponents in massless, renormalizable theories having a nontrivial fixed point. In conventional perturbation theory, all results depend on the arbitrary renormalization scheme used. We show how to resolve this problem, following the "principle of minimal sensitivity" approach. At least three orders of perturbation theory are required for quantitative results. We give scheme-independent criteria for determining the presence or absence of a fixed point in $n\mathrm{th}$ order, and discuss the conditions under which perturbative results might be reliable. As illustrations we discuss QED with many flavors, and ${({\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{4})}_{4}$ theory. In neither case do we find a fixed point, in contrast to naive perturbative expectations.
117188910
The renormalization‐scheme‐dependence problem and its solution
I explain, in ‘‘uncompromising’’ terms, the solution to the renormalization‐scheme‐dependence problem.
119042764
Resolution of the lambda phi**4 puzzle and a 2-TeV Higgs boson
We argue that massless (lambda Phi^4)_4 is "trivial" without being entirely trivial. It has a non-trivial effective potential which leads to spontaneous symmetry breaking, but the particle excitations above the broken vacuum are non-interacting. The key to this picture is the realization that the constant background field (the mode with zero 4-momentum) renormalizes differently from the fluctuation field (the finite-momentum modes). This picture reconciles rigorous results and lattice calculations with one-loop and Gaussian-approximation analyses. Because of "triviality", these latter two methods should be effectively exact. Indeed, they yield the same renormalized effective potential and the same relation m_h^2 = 8 pi^2 v^2 between the particle mass and the physical vacuum expectation value. This relation predicts a Higgs mass m_h about 2 TeV in the standard model. The non-interacting nature of the scalar sector implies, by the equivalence theorem, that Higgs and gauge bosons interact only weakly, through their gauge and Yukawa couplings.
119264999
Optimization of QCD perturbation theory: Results for Re+e− at fourth order
Abstract Physical quantities in QCD are independent of renormalization scheme (RS), but that exact invariance is spoiled by truncations of the perturbation series. “Optimization” corresponds to making the perturbative approximant, at any given order, locally invariant under small RS changes. A solution of the resulting optimization equations is presented. It allows an efficient algorithm for finding the optimized result. Example results for R e + e − = 3 ∑ q i 2 ( 1 + R ) to fourth order (NNNLO) are given that show nice convergence, even down to arbitrarily low energies. The Q = 0 “freezing” behavior, R = 0.3 ± 0.3 , found at third order is confirmed and made more precise; R = 0.2 ± 0.1 . Low-energy results in the MS ¯ scheme, by contrast, show the typical pathologies of a non-convergent asymptotic series.
121312073
Gluon enhancements in charmed-meson decays
We address tests of nonspectator diagrams in charmed-meson decays. In particular, we explore the consequences of a model in which such diagrams are enhanced by the emission of a single gluon. For a lifetime ratio tau(D/sup +/)/tau(D/sup 0/)=5, we predict (i) tau(F/sup +/)/tau(D/sup +/) approx. = 0.6, (ii) an enhanced ..delta..S=0 rate for D/sup +/, (iii) a substantial multipion branching fraction for the F/sup +/, (iv) an F/sup +/ ..-->.. tau/sup +/..nu.. branching fraction of order 10 --20%, and (v) restrictive bounds on the D/sup 0/ ..-->.. K-bar/sup 0/..pi../sup 0/ mode.
119880793
Optimized perturbation theory in the Gross-Neveu model
16956676
Continuum time-dependent Hartree-Fock method for giant resonances in spherical nuclei
This paper deals with the solution of the spherically symmetric time-dependent Hartree-Fock approximation applied in the case of nuclear giant monopole resonances in the small and large amplitude regimes. The problem is spatially unbounded as the resonance state is in the continuum. The practical requirement to perform the calculation in a finite-sized spatial region results in a difficulty with the spatial boundary conditions. Here we propose an absorbing boundary condition scheme to handle the conflict. The derivation, via a Laplace transform method, and implementation is described. The accuracy and efficiency of the scheme is tested and the results presented to support the case that they are a effective way of handling the artificial boundary. © 2013 American Physical Society.
121929671
Nuclear matter and neutron star properties calculated with the skyrme interaction
The effective Skyrme interaction has been used extensively in mean-field models for several decades and many different parametrizations of the interaction have been proposed. All of these give similar agreement with the experimental observables of nuclear ground states as well as with the properties of infinite symmetric nuclear matter at the saturation density n0. However, when applied over a wider range of densities (up to ∼3n0) they predict widely varying behavior for the observables of both symmetric and asymmetric nuclear matter. A particularly relevant example of naturally occurring asymmetric nuclear matter is the material of which neutron stars are composed. At around nuclear matter density, this can be well represented as a mixture of neutrons, protons, electrons, and muons (n+p+e+μ matter) in β-equilibrium, and these densities turn out to be the key ones for determining the properties of neutron-star models with masses near to the widely used “canonical” value of 1.4M⊙. By constructing equations of state for neutron-star matter using the different Skyrme parametrizations, calculating corresponding neutron-star models and then comparing these with observational data, an additional constraint can be obtained for the values of the Skyrme parameters. Such a constraint is particularly relevant because the parametrizations are initially determined by fitting to the properties of doubly closed-shell nuclei and it is an open question how suitable they then are for nuclei with high values of isospin, such as those at the neutron drip-line and beyond. The neutron-star environment provides an invaluable testing ground for this. We have carried out an investigation of 87 different Skyrme parametrizations in order to examine how successful they are in predicting the expected properties of infinite nuclear matter and generating plausible neutron-star models. This is the first systematic study of the predictions of the various Skyrme parametrizations for the density dependence of the characteristic observables of nuclear matter; the density dependence of the symmetry energy for β-equilibrium matter turns out to be a crucial property for indicating which Skyrme parameter sets will apply equally well for finite nuclei and for neutron-star matter. Only 27 of the 87 parametrizations investigated pass the test of giving satisfactory neutron-star models and we present a list of these.
16386160
Extension of the continuum time-dependent Hartree-Fock method to proton states.
This paper deals with the solution of the spherically symmetric time-dependent Hartree-Fock approximation applied to nuclear giant monopole resonances in the small amplitude regime. The problem is spatially unbounded as the resonance state is in the continuum. The practical requirement to perform the calculation in a finite-sized spatial region yields an artificial boundary, which is not present physically. The question of how to ensure the boundary does not interfere with the internal solution, while keeping the overall calculation time low is studied. Here we propose an absorbing boundary condition scheme to handle the conflict. The derivation, via a Laplace transform method, and implementation is described. An inverse Laplace transform required by the absorbing boundaries is calculated using a method of nonlinear least squares. The accuracy and efficiency of the scheme is tested and results presented to support the case that they are an effective way of handling the artificial boundary.
122193074
The effect of the tensor force on the predicted stability of superheavy nuclei
The effect of the tensor component of the Skyrme effective nucleon-nucleon interaction on the single-particle structure in superheavy elements is studied. A selection of the available Skyrme forces has been chosen and their predictions for the proton and neutron shell closures investigated. The inclusion of the tensor term with realistic coupling strength parameters leads to a small increase in the spin-orbit splitting between the proton 2f7/2 and 2f5/2 partners, opening the Z=114 shell gap over a wide range of nuclei. The Z=126 shell gap, predicted by these models in the absence of the tensor term, is found to be stongly dependent on neutron number with a Z=138 gap opening for large neutron numbers, having a consequent implication for the synthesis of neutron-rich superheavy elements. The predicted neutron shell structures remain largely unchanged by inclusion of the tensor component.
117963510
Mass distributions in a variational model
The time-dependent Hartree-Fock approach may be derived from a variational principle and a Slater Determinant wavefunction Ansatz. It gives a good description of nuclear processes in which one-body collisions dominate and has been applied with success to giant resonances and collisions around the barrier. It is inherently unable to give a good description of two-body observables. A variational principle, due to Balian and Veneroni has been proposed which can be geared to good reproduction of two-body observables. Keeping the Slater Determinant Ansatz, and restricting the two-body observables to be the squares of one-body observables, the procedure can be implemented as a modification of the time-dependent Hartree-Fock procedure. Applications, using the Skyrme effective interaction, are presented for the mass distributions of fragments following de-excitation of the giant dipole resonance in 32 S. An illustration of the method's use in collisions is given.