Perturbation Theory for Fat-link Fermion Actions

We discuss weak coupling perturbation theory for lattice actions in which the fermions couple to smeared gauge links. The normally large integrals that appear in lattice perturbation theory are drastically reduced. Even without detailed calculation, it is easy to determine to good accuracy the scale of the logarithms that appear in cases where an anomalous dimension is present. We describe several 1-loop examples for fat-link Wilson and clover fermions. including the additive mass shift, the relation between the lattice and MSbar quark masses, and the axial current renormalization factor ($Z_A$) for light-light and static-light currents.Comment: LATTICE99(Improvement and Renormalization); 3 pages, no figure

Time Dependence of Nucleon Correlation Functions in Chiral Perturbation Theory

We consider corrections to nucleon correlation functions arising from times that are far from the asymptotic limit. For such times, the single nucleon state is contaminated by the pion-nucleon and pion-delta continuum. We use heavy baryon chiral perturbation theory to derive the spectral representation of the nucleon two-point function. Finite time corrections to the axial current correlation function are also derived. Pion-nucleon excited state contributions drive the axial correlator upward, while contributions from the interference of pion-delta and pion-nucleon states drive the axial correlator downward. Our results can be compared qualitatively to optimized nucleon correlators calculated in lattice QCD, because the chiral corrections characterize only low-energy excitations above the ground state. We show that improved nucleon operators can lead to an underestimation of the nucleon axial charge.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figure

Parameters of the lowest order chiral Lagrangian from fermion eigenvalues

Recent advances in Random Matrix Theory enable one to determine the pseudoscalar decay constant from the response of eigenmodes of quenched fermions to an imaginary isospin chemical potential. We perform a pilot test of this idea, from simulations with two flavors of dynamical overlap fermions.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, Revte

Renormalization of Bilinear Quark Operators for Overlap Fermions

We present non-perturbative renormalization constants of fermionic bilinears on the lattice in the quenched approximation at beta=6.1 using an overlap fermion action with hypercubic(HYP)-blocked links. We consider the effects of the exact zero modes of the Dirac operator and find they are important in calculating the renormalization constants of the scalar and pseudoscalar density. The results are given in the RI' and MS bar schemes and compared to the perturbative calculations.Comment: 14 pages, 13 figure

Comment on ``Evidence Against Instanton Dominance of Topological Charge Fluctuations in QCD''

We comment on the recent paper (hep-lat/0102003) by Horvath, Isgur, McCune, and Thacker, which concludes that the local chiral structure of fermionic eigenmodes is not consistent with instanton dominance. Our calculations, done with an overlap action, suggest the opposite conclusion.Comment: 5 pages, Revtex, 4 postscript figures. COLO-HEP-45

Another determination of the quark condensate from an overlap action

I use the technique of Hernandez, et al (hep-lat/0106011) to convert a recent calculation of the lattice-regulated quark condensate from an overlap action to a continuum-regulated number. I find Sigma(MSbar)(mu = 2 GeV) = (282(6) MeV)-cubed times (a-inverse/1766 MeV)-cubed from a calculation with the Wilson gauge action at beta=5.9.Comment: 3 pages, Revtex, 1 postscript figure. References added. COLO-HEP-47

SU(4) lattice gauge theory with decuplet fermions: Schr\"odinger functional analysis

We complete a program of study of SU(N) gauge theories coupled to two flavors of fermions in the two-index symmetric representation by performing numerical simulations in SU(4). The beta function, defined and calculated via the Schr\"odinger functional, runs more slowly than the two-loop perturbative result. The mass anomalous dimension levels off in strong coupling at a value of about 0.45, rendering this theory unsuitable for walking technicolor. A large-N comparison of this data with results from SU(2) and SU(3) reveals striking regularities.Comment: 15 pages, 15 figure

Chiral Corrections to Hyperon Axial Form Factors

We study the complete set of flavor changing hyperon axial current matrix elements at small momentum transfer. Using partially quenched heavy baryon chiral perturbation theory, we derive the chiral and momentum behavior of the axial and induced pseudoscalar form factors. The meson pole contributions to the latter posses a striking signal for chiral physics. We argue that the study of hyperon axial matrix elements enables a systematic lattice investigation of the efficacy of three flavor chiral expansions in the baryon sector. This can be achieved by considering chiral corrections to SU(3) symmetry predictions, and their partially quenched generalizations. In particular, despite the presence of eight unknown low-energy constants, we are able to make next-to-leading order symmetry breaking predictions for two linear combinations of axial charges.Comment: 23 pages, 3 figures, typos corrected and a new NLO prediction adde

Chiral properties of two-flavor QCD in small volume and at large lattice spacing

We present results from simulations of two flavors of dynamical overlap fermions on 8^4 lattices at three values of the sea quark mass and a lattice spacing of about 0.16 fm. We measure the topological susceptibility and the chiral condensate. A comparison of the low-lying spectrum of the overlap operator with predictions from random matrix theory is made. To demonstrate the effect of the dynamical fermions, we compare meson two-point functions with quenched results. Algorithmic improvements over a previous publication and the performance of the algorithm are discussed.Comment: 16 pages, 12 figure