Noncompact three-dimensional quantum electrodynamics with N{sub f}=1 and N{sub f}=4

Journal Article · Wed Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 2004 · Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.70.104501· OSTI ID:20664863

Hands, S J ^[1]; Kogut, J B ^[2]; Scorzato, L ^[3]; Strouthos, C G ^[4]

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1. Department of Physics, University of Wales Swansea, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP (United Kingdom)
2. Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801-3080 (United States)
3. Institut fuer Physik, Humboldt Universitaet zu Berlin, 12489 Berlin (Germany)
4. Department of Physics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708 (United States)

We present numerical results for noncompact three-dimensional quantum electrodynamics for numbers of flavors N{sub f}=1 and N{sub f}=4. In particular, we address the issue of whether chiral symmetry is spontaneously broken in the continuum limit, and obtain a positive answer for N{sub f}=1, with a dimensionless condensate estimated to be {beta}{sup 2}<{psi}{psi}>{approx_equal}O(10{sup -3}), implying that the critical number of flavors N{sub fc}>1. We also compare the N{sub f}=1 and N{sub f}=4 models by analyzing the transition from strong to weak coupling behavior using an equation of state based on a continuous phase transition. While some qualitative differences emerge, it appears difficult to determine whether N{sub f}=4 lies above or below N{sub fc}.

• OSTI ID: 20664863
• Journal Information: Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, Journal Name: Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 70; ISSN 1098-0121
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
CHIRAL SYMMETRY
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COUPLING
EQUATIONS OF STATE
FERMIONS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
QUANTUM ELECTRODYNAMICS
SYMMETRY BREAKING