Continuum EoS for QCD with Nf=2+1 flavors

We report on a continuum extrapolated result [arXiv:1309.5258] for the equation of state (EoS) of QCD with $N_f=2+1$ dynamical quark flavors. In this study, all systematics are controlled, quark masses are set to their physical values, and the continuum limit is taken using at least three lattice spacings corresponding to temporal extents up to $N_t=16$. A Symanzik improved gauge and stout-link improved staggered fermion action is used. Our results are available online [ancillary file to arXiv:1309.5258].Comment: Conference proceedings, 7 pages, 4 figures. Talk presented at 31st International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory (LATTICE 2013), July 29 - August 3, 2013, Mainz, German

Static quark-antiquark pair free energy and screening masses: continuum results at the QCD physical point

We study the correlators of Polyakov loops, and the corresponding gauge invariant free energy of a static quark-antiquark pair in 2+1 flavor QCD at finite temperature. Our simulations were carried out on $N_t$ = 6, 8, 10, 12, 16 lattices using a Symanzik improved gauge action and a stout improved staggered action with physical quark masses. The free energies calculated from the Polyakov loop correlators are extrapolated to the continuum limit. For the free energies we use a two step renormalization procedure that only uses data at finite temperature. We also measure correlators with definite Euclidean time reversal and charge conjugation symmetry to extract two different screening masses, one in the magnetic, and one in the electric sector, to distinguish two different correlation lengths in the full Polyakov loop correlator. This conference contribution is based on the paper: JHEP 1504 (2015) 138Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures. Talk presented at the 33rd International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory (Lattice 2015), 14-18 July 2015, Kobe International Conference Center, Kobe, Japa

QCD transition temperature: full staggered result

We conclude our investigations on the QCD cross-over transition temperatures with 2+1 staggered flavours and one-link stout improvement. We extend our previous two studies [Phys. Lett. B643 (2006) 46, JHEP 0906:088 (2009)] by choosing even finer lattices (N_t=16) and we work again with physical quark masses. These new results [for details see JHEP 1009:073,2010] support our earlier findings. We compare them with the published results of the hotQCD collaboration. All these results are confronted with the predictions of the Hadron Resonance Gas model and Chiral Perturbation Theory for temperatures below the transition region. Our results can be reproduced by using the physical spectrum. The findings of the hotQCD collaboration can be recovered only by using a distorted spectrum. This analysis provides a simple explanation for the observed discrepancy in the transition T between our and the hotQCD collaborations.Comment: presented at the XXVIII. International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, June 14-19,2010, Villasimius, Sardinia Ital

Recent results on the Equation of State of QCD

We report on a continuum extrapolated result (arXiv:1309.5258) for the equation of state (EoS) of QCD with $N_f=2+1$ dynamical quark flavors and discuss preliminary results obtained with an additional dynamical charm quark ($N_f=2+1+1$). For all our final results, the systematics are controlled, quark masses are set to their physical values, and the continuum limit is taken using at least three lattice spacings corresponding to temporal extents up to $N_t=16$.Comment: Conference proceedings: The 32nd International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory - Lattice 2014, June 23-28, 2014, Columbia University, New York, New Yor

The QCD equation of state and the effects of the charm

We present an update on the QCD equation of state of the Wuppertal-Budapest Collaboration, extending our previous studies [JHEP 0601 (2006) 089, JHEP 1011 (2010) 077]. A Symanzik improved gauge and a stout-link improved staggered fermion action is utilized. We discuss partial quenching and present preliminary results for the fully dynamical charmed equation of state.Comment: Talk presented at the XXIX International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, July 10-16, 2011, Lake Tahoe, Californi

N_f=2+1 flavour equation of state

We conclude our investigation on the QCD equation of state (EoS) with 2+1 staggered flavors and one-link stout improvement. We extend our previous study [JHEP 0601:089 (2006)] by choosing even finer lattices. These new results [for details see arXiv:1007.2580] support our earlier findings. Lattices with N_t=6,8 and 10 are used, and the continuum limit is approached by checking the results at N_t=12. A Symanzik improved gauge and a stout-link improved staggered fermion action is taken; the light and strange quark masses are set to their physical values. Various observables are calculated in the temperature (T) interval of 100 to 1000~MeV. We compare our data to the equation of state obtained by the "hotQCD" collaboration.Comment: presented at the XXVIII. International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, June 14-19,2010, Villasimius, Sardinia Ital

Effects of human-induced alteration of groundwater flow on concentrations of naturally-occurring trace elements at water-supply wells

AbstractThe effects of human-induced alteration of groundwater flow patterns on concentrations of naturally-occurring trace elements were examined in five hydrologically distinct aquifer systems in the USA. Although naturally occurring, these trace elements can exceed concentrations that are considered harmful to human health. The results show that pumping-induced hydraulic gradient changes and artificial connection of aquifers by well screens can mix chemically distinct groundwater. Chemical reactions between these mixed groundwaters and solid aquifer materials can result in the mobilization of trace elements such as U, As and Ra, with subsequent transport to water-supply wells. For example, in the High Plains aquifer near York, Nebraska, mixing of shallow, oxygenated, lower-pH water from an unconfined aquifer with deeper, confined, anoxic, higher-pH water is facilitated by wells screened across both aquifers. The resulting higher-O2, lower-pH mixed groundwater facilitated the mobilization of U from solid aquifer materials, and dissolved U concentrations were observed to increase significantly in nearby supply wells. Similar instances of trace element mobilization due to human-induced mixing of groundwaters were documented in: (1) the Floridan aquifer system near Tampa, Florida (As and U), (2) Paleozoic sedimentary aquifers in eastern Wisconsin (As), (3) the basin-fill aquifer underlying the California Central Valley near Modesto (U), and (4) Coastal Plain aquifers of New Jersey (Ra). Adverse water-quality impacts attributed to human activities are commonly assumed to be related solely to the release of the various anthropogenic contaminants to the environment. The results show that human activities including various land uses, well drilling, and pumping rates and volumes can adversely impact the quality of water in supply wells, when associated with naturally-occurring trace elements in aquifer materials. This occurs by causing subtle but significant changes in geochemistry and associated trace element mobilization as well as enhancing advective transport processes

Scaling study for 2 HEX smeared fermions: hadron and quark masses

The goal of this study is to investigate the scaling behaviour of our 2 HEX action. For this purpose, we compute the $N_f=3$ spectrum and compare the results to our 6 EXP action. We find a large scaling window up to $\sim 0.15\,\mathrm{fm}$ along with small scaling corrections at the 2%-level and full compatibility with our previous study. As a second important observable to be tested for scaling, we chose the non-perturbatively renormalized quenched strange quark mass. Here we find a fairly flat scaling with a broad scaling range up to $\simeq 0.15\,\mathrm{fm}$ and perfect agreement with the literature.Comment: PoS for the XXVIII International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, Lattice2010, 7 pages, 4 figure

QCD thermodynamics with continuum extrapolated Wilson fermions II

We continue our investigation of 2+1 flavor QCD thermodynamics using dynamical Wilson fermions in the fixed scale approach. Two additional pion masses, approximately 440 MeV and 285 MeV, are added to our previous work at 545 MeV. The simulations were performed at 3 or 4 lattice spacings at each pion mass. The renormalized chiral condensate, strange quark number susceptibility and Polyakov loop is obtained as a function of the temperature and we observe a decrease in the light chiral pseudo-critical temperature as the pion mass is lowered while the pseudo-critical temperature associated with the strange quark number susceptibility or the Polyakov loop is only mildly sensitive to the pion mass. These findings are in agreement with previous continuum results obtained in the staggered formulation.Comment: 19 pages, 13 figures, published versio