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At least 199 records · Page 11

Temperature effects on the neutron matter equation of state obtained from chiral effective field theory

Temperature effects on the neutron matter equation of state (EoS) are investigated in the framework of chiral effective field theory. Recently, state-of-the-art chiral two-nucleon forces are applied from third to fifth order in the chiral expansion together with chiral three-nucleon forces, allowing for a determination of the truncation error of the theoretical predictions. The thermodynamic quantities considered include the chemical potential, the internal energy, the entropy, and the free energy. In general, good order-by-order convergence of all predictions is observed. As to be expected, temperature effects are largest at low density. Finally, the temperature dependence of the chiral three-nucleon force turns out to be weak.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Electric dipole moments of three-nucleon systems in the pionless effective field theory

We calculate the electric dipole moments (EDMs) of three-nucleon systems at leading order in pionless effective field theory. The one-body contributions that arise from permanent proton and neutron EDMs and the two-body contributions that arise from charge-parity-odd nucleon-nucleon interactions are taken into account. Neglecting the Coulomb interaction, we consider the triton and 3 He, and also investigate them in the Wigner-SU(4) symmetric limit. We also calculate the electric dipole form factor and find numerically that the momentum dependence of the electric dipole form factor in the Wigner limit is, up to an overall constant (and numerical accuracy), the same as the momentum dependence of the charge form factor. Finally, we study the cutoff dependence of these observables and find that they are properly renormalized.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Final-state interactions and spin structure in E 1 breakup of Li 11 in halo effective field theory

In this work, we calculate the E1 breakup of the 2n halo nucleus 11 Li in halo effective field theory (Halo EFT) at leading order. In Halo EFT, 11 Li is treated as a three-body system of a 9 Li core and two neutrons. We present a detailed investigation of final-state interactions (FSIs) in the neutron-neutron (nn) and neutron-core (nc) channels. We employ Møller operators to formulate an expansion scheme that satisfies the non-energy-weighted cluster sum rule and successively includes higher-order terms in the multiple-scattering series for the FSI. Computing the E1 strength up to third order in this scheme, we observe apparent convergence and good agreement with experiment. The neutron-neutron FSI is by far the most important contribution and largely determines the maximum value of the E1 distribution. However, inclusion of nc FSI does shift the peak position to slightly lower energies. Moreover, we investigate the sensitivity of the E1 response to the spin structure of the neutron- 9 Li interaction. We contrast results for an interaction that is the same in the spin-1 and spin-2 channels with one that is only operative in the spin-2 channel, and find that good agreement with experimental data is only obtained if the interaction is present in both spin channels. The latter case is shown to be equivalent to a calculation in which the spin of 9 Li is neglected.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Leveraging neural control variates for enhanced precision in lattice field theory

Results obtained with stochastic methods have an inherent uncertainty due to the finite number of samples that can be achieved in practice. In lattice QCD this problem is particularly salient in some observables like, for instance, observables involving one or more baryons and it is the main problem preventing the calculation of nuclear forces from first principles. The method of control variables has been used extensively in statistics and it amounts to computing the expectation value of the difference between the observable of interest and another observable whose average is known to be zero but is correlated with the observable of interest. Recently, control variates methods emerged as a promising solution in the context of lattice field theories. In our current study, instead of relying on an educated guess to determine the control variate, we utilize a neural network to parametrize this function. Using 1 + 1 dimensional scalar field theory as a testbed, we demonstrate that this neural network approach yields substantial improvements. Notably, our findings indicate that the neural network ansatz is particularly effective in the strong coupling regime. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

Lattice field theory beyond the standard model

We conducted theoretical studies in high energy physics beyond the standard model, using lattice gauge theory techniques, with a particular emphasis on supersymmetric fields theories. There are many reasons for formulating and studying such theories using this first principles approach, with the goal in mind of repeating the successes of lattice quantum chromodynamics—which are quite substantial.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Effective field theory of anisotropic inflation and beyond

We develop an effective-field-theory (EFT) framework for inflation with various symmetry breaking pattern. As a prototype, we formulate anisotropic inflation from the perspective of EFT and construct an effective action of the Nambu-Goldstone bosons for the broken time translation and rotation symmetries. We also calculate the statistical anisotropy in the scalar two-point correlation function for concise examples of the effective action.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Effective field theory for deformed odd-mass nuclei

We develop an effective field theory (EFT) for deformed odd-mass nuclei. These are described as an axially symmetric core to which a nucleon is coupled. In the coordinate system fixed to the core the nucleon is subject to an axially symmetric potential. Power counting is based on the separation of scales between low-lying rotations and higher-lying states of the core. In leading order, core and nucleon are coupled by universal derivative terms. These comprise a covariant derivative and gauge potentials which account for Coriolis forces and relate to Berry-phase phenomena. At leading order, the EFT combines the particle-rotor and Nilsson models. Here, we work out the EFT up to next-to-leading order and illustrate the results in 239 Pu and 187 Os . At leading order, odd-mass nuclei with rotational bandheads that are close in energy and differ by one unit of angular momentum are triaxially deformed. For bandheads that are well separated in energy, triaxiality becomes a subleading effect. The EFT developed in this paper presents a model-independent approach to the particle-rotor system that is capable of systematic improvement.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Gravitational effective field theory islands, low-spin dominance, and the four-graviton amplitude

Abstract We analyze constraints from perturbative unitarity and crossing on the leading contributions of higher-dimension operators to the four-graviton amplitude in four spacetime dimensions, including constraints that follow from distinct helicity configurations. We focus on the leading-order effect due to exchange by massive degrees of freedom which makes the amplitudes of interest infrared finite. In particular, we place a bound on the coefficient of the R 3 operator that corrects the graviton three-point amplitude in terms of the R 4 coefficient. To test the constraints we obtain nontrivial effective field-theory data by computing and taking the large-mass expansion of the one-loop minimally-coupled four-graviton amplitude with massive particles up to spin 2 circulating in the loop. Remarkably, we observe that the leading EFT coefficients obtained from both string and one-loop field-theory amplitudes lie in small islands. The shape and location of the islands can be derived from the dispersive representation for the Wilson coefficients using crossing and assuming that the lowest-spin spectral densities are the largest. Our analysis suggests that the Wilson coefficients of weakly-coupled gravitational physical theories are much more constrained than indicated by bounds arising from dispersive considerations of 2 → 2 scattering. The one-loop four-graviton amplitudes used to obtain the EFT data are computed using modern amplitude methods, including generalized unitarity, supersymmetric decompositions and the double copy.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Generalized entanglement entropies in two-dimensional conformal field theory

We introduce and study generalized Rényi entropies defined through the traces of products of Tr B (| Ψ i $\rangle$$\langle$Ψ j | ) where |Ψ i $\rangle$ are eigenstates of a two-dimensional conformal field theory (CFT). When |Ψ i $\rangle$ = |Ψ j $\rangle$ these objects reduce to the standard Rényi entropies of the eigenstates of the CFT. Exploiting the path integral formalism, we show that the second generalized Rényi entropies are equivalent to four point correlators. We then focus on a free bosonic theory for which the mode expansion of the fields allows us to develop an efficient strategy to compute the second generalized Rényi entropy for all eigenstates. As a byproduct, our approach also leads to new results for the standard Rényi and relative entropies involving arbitrary descendent states of the bosonic CFT.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Simulating scalar field theories on quantum computers with limited resources

Here we present a quantum algorithm for implementing φ 4 lattice scalar field theory on qubit computers. The field is represented in the discretized field amplitude basis. The number of qubits and elementary gates required by the implementation of the evolution operator is proportional to the lattice size. The algorithm allows efficient φ 4 state preparation for a large range of input parameters in both the normal and broken-symmetry phases. The states are prepared using a combination of variational and adiabatic evolution methods. First, the ground state of a local Hamiltonian, which includes the φ 4 self-interaction, is prepared using short variational circuits. Next, this state is evolved by switching on the coupling between the lattice sites adiabatically. The parameters defining the local Hamiltonian are adjustable and constitute the input of our algorithm. We present a method to optimize these parameters in order to reduce the adiabatic time required for state preparation. For preparing broken-symmetry states, the adiabatic evolution problems caused by crossing the phase transition critical line and by the degeneracy of the broken-symmetry ground state can be addressed using an auxiliary external field which gradually turns off during the adiabatic process. We show that the time dependence of the external field during the adiabatic evolution is important for addressing the broken-symmetry ground state degeneracy. The adiabatic time dependence on the inverse error tolerance can be reduced from quadratic to linear by using a field strength that decreases exponentially in time relative to one that decreases linearly.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

State preparation of lattice field theories using quantum optimal control

Here, we explore the application of quantum optimal control (QOC) techniques to state preparation of lattice field theories on quantum computers. As a first example, we focus on the Schwinger model, quantum electrodynamics in 1+1 dimensions. We demonstrate that QOC can significantly speed up the ground state preparation compared to gate-based methods, even for models with long-range interactions. Using classical simulations, we explore the dependence on the interqubit coupling strength and the device connectivity, and we study the optimization in the presence of noise. While our simulations indicate potential speedups, the results strongly depend on the device specifications. In addition, we perform exploratory studies on the preparation of thermal states. Our results motivate further studies of QOC techniques in the context of quantum simulations for fundamental physics.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

On the canonical formulation of gauge field theories and Poincaré transformations

We address the Hamiltonian formulation of classical gauge field theories while putting forward results some of which are not entirely new, though they do not appear to be well known. We refer in particular to the fact that neither the canonical energy momentum vector ( P μ ) nor the gauge invariant energy momentum vector ( P inv μ ) do generate space-time translations of the gauge field by means of the Poisson brackets: In a general gauge, one has to consider the so-called kinematical energy momentum vector and, in a specific gauge (like the radiation gauge in electrodynamics), one has to consider the Dirac brackets rather than the Poisson brackets. Similar arguments apply to rotations and to Lorentz boosts and are of direct relevance to the “nucleon spin crisis” since the spin of the proton involves a contribution which is due to the angular momentum vector of gluons and thereby requires a proper treatment of the latter. We conclude with some comments on the relationships between the different approaches to quantization (canonical quantization based on the classical Hamiltonian formulation, Gupta-Bleuler, path integrals, BRST, covariant canonical approaches).

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Mott insulators in moiré transition metal dichalcogenides at fractional fillings: Slave-rotor mean-field theory

In this study, we study a slave-rotor mean-field theory of an extended Hubbard model, applicable to transition metal dichalcogenide moiré systems, that captures both the formation of Wigner crystals as well as exotic spin states on top of these charge backgrounds. Phase diagrams are mapped out for different choices of long-range Coulomb repulsion strength, reproducing several experimentally found Wigner crystal states. Assuming unbroken time-reversal symmetry, we find several spin-liquid states as well as dimer states at fractional fillings. While spin dimer states are always found to have the lowest mean-field energy, several spin-liquid states are energetically competitive and may be stabilized by including gauge fluctuations or further interaction terms. We further discuss possible experimental signatures of these states pertinent to two-dimensional moiré heterostructures.

Charge order↗

Energy-enhanced expansion of the standard model effective field theory

We formalize energy-scaling arguments in the standard model effective field theory (SMEFT) to estimate the effects of operators up to dimension ten. Our approach relies on weakly coupled UV completions with no presumed large hierarchies between the Wilson coefficients. We introduce a classification based on the number of external legs and an energy-counting parameter. We establish a dual expansion in 𝑣/Λ and 𝐸/Λ. Extending to four-, five-, and six-particle vertices, our framework highlights energy-enhanced operators that dominate high-energy processes at the High Luminosity-Large Hadron Collider. This organization streamlines experimental analyses to only include operators with energetic impact in their analyses and enhances the discoverability of new physics within the SMEFT framework.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

More exotic field theories in 3+1 dimensions

We continue the exploration of nonstandard continuum field theories related to fractons in 3+1 dimensions. Our theories exhibit exotic global and gauge symmetries, defects with restricted mobility, and interesting dualities. Depending on the model, the defects are the probe limits of either fractonic particles, strings, or strips. One of our models is the continuum limit of the plaquette Ising lattice model, which features an important role in the construction of the X-cube model.

Gorantla, Pranay↗

Recent progresses in few-nucleon structure and dynamics in chiral effective field theory

The most recent progresses made within the framework of chiral effective field theory for few-nucleon structure and low-energy reactions are here presented. In particular, for the 𝐴 = 2 sector, the study of muon capture on deuteron is reviewed. Then, the results obtained using the Hyperspherical Harmonics ab-initiomethod for the 4He monopole form factor and the 3He(®𝑛, 𝑝) 3H parity-conserving asymmetry are described.

Marcucci, Laura [University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; ↗

Berry phase in quantum field theory: Diabolical points and boundary phenomena

We study aspects of Berry phase in gapped many-body quantum systems by means of effective field theory. Once the parameters are promoted to spacetime-dependent background fields, such adiabatic phases are described by Wess-Zumino-Witten (WZW) and similar terms. In the presence of symmetries, there are also quantized invariants capturing generalized Thouless pumps. Consideration of these terms provides constraints on the phase diagram of many-body systems, implying the existence of gapless points in the phase diagram which are stable for topological reasons. We describe such diabolical points, realized by free fermions and gauge theories in various dimensions, which act as sources of "higher Berry curvature" and are protected by the quantization of the corresponding WZW terms or Thouless pump terms. Here, these are analogous to Weyl nodes in a semimetal band structure. We argue that in the presence of a boundary, there are boundary diabolical points---parameter values where the boundary gap closes---which occupy arcs ending at the bulk diabolical points. Consideration of the topological effective action for the parameters also provides some new checks on conjectured infrared dualities and deconfined quantum criticality in 2+1d.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Nucleon-Nucleon Scattering Up to N5LO in Chiral Effective Field Theory

During the past few decades a large effort has been made toward describing the NN interaction in the framework of chiral Effective Field Theory (EFT). The main idea is to exploit the symmetries of QCD to obtain an effective theory for low energy nuclear systems. In 2003, the first accurate charge-dependent NN potential in this scheme was developed and it has been applied to many ab-initio calculations, opening the possibility to study nuclear systems in a systematic and accurate way. It was shown that the fourth order (N3LO) was necessary and sufficient to describe the NN scattering data with a χ 2 /d.o.f on the order of so-called high precision potentials. However the systematics of chiral EFT also allow to relate two- and many-body interactions in a well-defined way. Since many-body forces make their first appearance at higher order, they are substantially smaller than their two-body counterparts, but may never-the-less be crucial for some processes. Thus, there are observables where they can have a big impact and, for example, there are indications that they solve the long standing Ay puzzle of N-d scattering. The last few years, have also seen substantial progress toward higher orders of chiral EFT which was motivated by the fact that only three-body forces of rather high order may solve some outstanding issues in microscopic nuclear structure and reactions. In this chapter we will review the latest contributions of the authors to development of chiral EFT based potentials up to N4LO as well as first calculations conducted for NN scattering at N5LO.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗