Large N Phase Transitions and Multi-Critical Behaviour in Generalized 2D QCD

Using matrix model techniques we investigate the large N limit of generalized 2D Yang-Mills theory. The model has a very rich phase structure. It exhibits multi-critical behavior and reveals a third order phase transitions at all genera besides {\it torus}. This is to be contrasted with ordinary 2D Yang-Mills which, at large N, exhibits phase transition only for spherical topology.Comment: CERN-TH.7390/94 and TAUP-2191-94, 6pp, LaTe

Fermionic Matrix Models

We review a class of matrix models whose degrees of freedom are matrices with anticommuting elements. We discuss the properties of the adjoint fermion one-, two- and gauge invariant D-dimensional matrix models at large-N and compare them with their bosonic counterparts which are the more familiar Hermitian matrix models. We derive and solve the complete sets of loop equations for the correlators of these models and use these equations to examine critical behaviour. The topological large-N expansions are also constructed and their relation to other aspects of modern string theory such as integrable hierarchies is discussed. We use these connections to discuss the applications of these matrix models to string theory and induced gauge theories. We argue that as such the fermionic matrix models may provide a novel generalization of the discretized random surface representation of quantum gravity in which the genus sum alternates and the sums over genera for correlators have better convergence properties than their Hermitian counterparts. We discuss the use of adjoint fermions instead of adjoint scalars to study induced gauge theories. We also discuss two classes of dimensionally reduced models, a fermionic vector model and a supersymmetric matrix model, and discuss their applications to the branched polymer phase of string theories in target space dimensions D>1 and also to the meander problem.Comment: 139 pages Latex (99 pages in landscape, two-column option); Section on Supersymmetric Matrix Models expanded, additional references include

Quantum quench in matrix models: Dynamical phase transitions, Selective equilibration and the Generalized Gibbs Ensemble

Quantum quench dynamics is considered in a one dimensional unitary matrix model with a single trace potential. This model is integrable and has been studied in the context of non-critical string theory. We find dynamical phase transitions, and study the role of the quantum critical point. In course of the time evolutions, we find evidence of selective equilibration for a certain class of observables. The equilibrium is governed by the Generalized Gibbs Ensemble (GGE) and differs from the standard Gibbs ensemble. We compute the production of entropy which is O(N) for large N matrices. An important feature of the equilibration is the appearance of an energy cascade, reminiscent of the Richardson cascade in turbulence, where we find flow of energy from initial long wavelength modes to progressively shorter wavelength excitations. We discuss possible implication of the equilibration and of GGE in string theories and higher spin theories. In another related study, we compute time evolutions in a double trace unitary matrix model, which arises as an effective theory of D2 branes in IIA string theory in the confinement phase. We find similar equilibrations and dynamical transitions in this matrix model. The dynamical transitions are related to Gregory-Laflamme transitions in string theory and are potentially connected with the issue of appearance of naked singularities.Comment: 46 pages, 28 figures; v2: minor corrections, references added; related movies are on http://www2.yukawa.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~mtakeshi/MQM/index.htm

Some approximate analytical methods in the study of the self-avoiding loop model with variable bending rigidity and the critical behaviour of the strong coupling lattice Schwinger model with Wilson fermions

Some time ago Salmhofer demonstrated the equivalence of the strong coupling lattice Schwinger model with Wilson fermions to a certain 8-vertex model which can be understood as a self-avoiding loop model on the square lattice with bending rigidity $\eta = 1/2$ and monomer weight $z = (2\kappa)^{-2}$. The present paper applies two approximate analytical methods to the investigation of critical properties of the self-avoiding loop model with variable bending rigidity, discusses their validity and makes comparison with known MC results. One method is based on the independent loop approximation used in the literature for studying phase transitions in polymers, liquid helium and cosmic strings. The second method relies on the known exact solution of the self-avoiding loop model with bending rigidity $\eta = 1/\sqrt{2}$. The present investigation confirms recent findings that the strong coupling lattice Schwinger model becomes critical for $\kappa_{cr} \simeq 0.38-0.39$. The phase transition is of second order and lies in the Ising model universality class. Finally, the central charge of the strong coupling Schwinger model at criticality is discussed and predicted to be $c = 1/2$.Comment: 22 pages LaTeX, 6 Postscript figure

Progress on Excited Hadrons in Lattice QCD

The study of excited hadron spectra using Lattice QCD is currently evolving. An important step toward obtaining resonance parameters from Lattice QCD is the calculation of finite volume energy spectra. Somewhat more rigorous studies of finite volume spectra are currently possible and should be completed in the near future. The inclusion of disconnected diagrams is increasingly commonplace and the simplest systems which involve mixing between single- and multi-hadron interpolating fields are being studied. Advances in all-to-all algorithms which have been crucial in this progress are reviewed and a survey of current results is given. Nevertheless, such results are preliminary and a thorough discussion of systematic errors is required. We discuss several such sources of error, focusing on excited state contamination and the use of the generalized eigenvalue problem. Also, the calculation of matrix elements between finite volume Hamiltonian eigenstates is discussed.Comment: 14 pages, 13 figures, Proceedings from Lattice 2011, Lake Tahoe, CA, US

Non-Perturbative Renormalization Flow in Quantum Field Theory and Statistical Physics

We review the use of an exact renormalization group equation in quantum field theory and statistical physics. It describes the dependence of the free energy on an infrared cutoff for the quantum or thermal fluctuations. Non-perturbative solutions follow from approximations to the general form of the coarse-grained free energy or effective average action. They interpolate between the microphysical laws and the complex macroscopic phenomena. Our approach yields a simple unified description for O(N)-symmetric scalar models in two, three or four dimensions, covering in particular the critical phenomena for the second-order phase transitions, including the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition and the critical behavior of polymer chains. We compute the aspects of the critical equation of state which are universal for a large variety of physical systems and establish a direct connection between microphysical and critical quantities for a liquid-gas transition. Universal features of first-order phase transitions are studied in the context of scalar matrix models. We show that the quantitative treatment of coarse graining is essential for a detailed estimate of the nucleation rate. We discuss quantum statistics in thermal equilibrium or thermal quantum field theory with fermions and bosons and we describe the high temperature symmetry restoration in quantum field theories with spontaneous symmetry breaking. In particular, we explore chiral symmetry breaking and the high temperature or high density chiral phase transition in quantum chromodynamics using models with effective four-fermion interactions.Comment: 178 pages, appears in Physics Report

Criticality, Fractality and Intermittency in Strong Interactions

Assuming a second-order phase transition for the hadronization process, we attempt to associate intermittency patterns in high-energy hadronic collisions to fractal structures in configuration space and corresponding intermittency indices to the isothermal critical exponent at the transition temperature. In this approach, the most general multidimensional intermittency pattern, associated to a second-order phase transition of the strongly interacting system, is determined, and its relevance to present and future experiments is discussed.Comment: 15 pages + 2 figures (available on request), CERN-TH.6990/93, UA/NPPS-5-9

Lattice QCD as a theory of interacting surfaces

Pure gauge lattice QCD at arbitrary D is considered. Exact integration over link variables in an arbitrary D-volume leads naturally to an appearance of a set of surfaces filling the volume and gives an exact expression for functional of their boundaries. The interaction between each two surfaces is proportional to their common area and is realized by a non-local matrix differential operator acting on their boundaries. The surface self-interaction is given by the QCD$_2$ functional of boundary. Partition functions and observables (Wilson loop averages) are written as an averages over all configurations of an integer-valued field living on a surfaces.Comment: TAUP-2204-94, 12pp., LaTe