O(N)-symmetric lambdaphi/sup 4/ theory: The Gaussian-effective-potential approach

Journal Article · Wed Apr 15 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Phys. Rev. D; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.35.2407· OSTI ID:6005133

Stevenson, P M; Alles, B; Tarrach, R

The O(N)-symmetric generalization of lambdaphi/sup 4/ theory is studied in the Gaussian-effective-potential (GEP) approach. It is shown that the GEP encompasses and transcends the leading-order 1/N expansion results. We find two distinct, nontrivial versions of the (3+1)-dimensional theory: (i) ''precarious phi/sup 4/ theory,'' with negative, infinitesimal lambda/sub B/, which coincides with the 1/N result; and (ii) ''autonomous phi/sup 4/ theory,'' with positive, infinitesimal lambda/sub B/ and an infinite wave-function renormalization, which is inaccessible to perturbative or 1/N methods, and could well have eluded lattice-based approaches. ''Autonomous phi/sup 4/ theory'' can exhibit spontaneous symmetry breaking, and we speculate on its relevance for the Higgs mechanism.

• Research Organization: T. W. Bonner Laboratories, Physics Department, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77251
• OSTI ID: 6005133
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. D; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. D; (United States) Vol. 35:8; ISSN PRVDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

645300 -- High Energy Physics-- Particle Invariance Principles & Symmetries
645400* -- High Energy Physics-- Field Theory
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
DYNAMICAL GROUPS
FIELD THEORIES
FUNCTIONS
HIGGS MODEL
LIE GROUPS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NUCLEAR MODELS
O GROUPS
PARTICLE MODELS
PERTURBATION THEORY
PHI4-FIELD THEORY
POTENTIALS
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
RENORMALIZATION
SYMMETRY BREAKING
SYMMETRY GROUPS
WAVE FUNCTIONS
WEAK-COUPLING MODEL