Finite-Size Effects in Lattice QCD with Dynamical Wilson Fermions

As computing resources are limited, choosing the parameters for a full Lattice QCD simulation always amounts to a compromise between the competing objectives of a lattice spacing as small, quarks as light, and a volume as large as possible. Aiming to push unquenched simulations with the Wilson action towards the computationally expensive regime of small quark masses we address the question whether one can possibly save computing time by extrapolating results from small lattices to the infinite volume, prior to the usual chiral and continuum extrapolations. In the present work the systematic volume dependence of simulated pion and nucleon masses is investigated and compared with a long-standing analytic formula by Luescher and with results from Chiral Perturbation Theory. We analyze data from Hybrid Monte Carlo simulations with the standard (unimproved) two-flavor Wilson action at two different lattice spacings of a=0.08fm and 0.13fm. The quark masses considered correspond to approximately 85 and 50% (at the smaller a) and 36% (at the larger a) of the strange quark mass. At each quark mass we study at least three different lattices with L/a=10 to 24 sites in the spatial directions (L=0.85-2.08fm).Comment: 21 pages, 20 figures, REVTeX 4; v2: caption of Fig.7 corrected, one reference adde

Volume dependence of light hadron masses in full lattice QCD

The aim of the GRAL project is to simulate full QCD with standard Wilson fermions at light quark masses on small to medium-sized lattices and to obtain infinite-volume results by extrapolation. In order to establish the functional form of the volume dependence we study systematically the finite-size effects in the light hadron spectrum. We give an update on the status of the GRAL project and show that our simulation data for the light hadron masses depend exponentially on the lattice size.Comment: 3 pages, 1 figure, Lattice2003(spectrum

Light Quark Masses with Nf=2N_f=2 Wilson Fermions

We present new data on the mass of the light and strange quarks from SESAM/T$\chi$L. The results were obtained on lattice-volumes of $16^3\times 32$ and $24^3\times 40$ points, with the possibility to investigate finite-size effects. Since the SESAM/T$\chi$L ensembles at $\beta=5.6$ have been complemented by configurations with $\beta=5.5$, moreover, we are now able to attempt the continuum extrapolation (CE) of the quark masses with standard Wilson fermions.Comment: Lattice2001(spectrum), minor correction

Time resolution below 100 ps for the SciTil detector of PANDA employing SiPM

The barrel time-of-flight (TOF) detector for the PANDA experiment at FAIR in Darmstadt is planned as a scintillator tile hodoscope (SciTil) using 8000 small scintillator tiles. It will provide fast event timing for a software trigger in the otherwise trigger-less data acquisition scheme of PANDA, relative timing in a multiple track event topology as well as additional particle identification in the low momentum region. The goal is to achieve a time resolution of sigma ~ 100 ps. We have conducted measurements using organic scintillators coupled to Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPM). The results are encouraging such that we are confident to reach the required time resolution.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figure

A High Precision Study of the QQ(bar) Potential from Wilson Loops in the Regime of String Breaking

For lattice QCD with two sea quark flavours we compute the static quark antiquark potential V(R) in the regime where string breaking is expected. In order to increase statistics, we make full use of the lattice information by including all lattice vectors R to any possible lattice separation in the infrared regime. The corresponding paths between the lattice points are constructed by means of a generalized Bresenham algorithm as known from computer graphics. As a results we achieve a determination of the unquenched potential in the range .8 to 1.5 fm with hitherto unknown precision. Furthermore, we demonstrate some error reducing methods for the evaluation of the transition matrix element between two- and four-quark states.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figure

Interplanetary propulsion using inertial fusion

Inertial fusion can be used to power spacecraft within the solar system and beyond. Such spacecraft have the potential for short-duration manned-mission performance exceeding other technologies. We are conducting a study to assess the systems aspects of inertial fusion as applied to such missions, based on the conceptual engine design of Hyde (1983) we describe the required systems for an entirely new spacecraft design called VISTA that is based on the use of DT fuel. We give preliminary design details for the power conversion and power conditioning systems for manned missions to Mars of total duration of about 100 days. Specific mission performance results will be published elsewhere, after the study has been completed