Lattice Study of the Conformal Window in QCD-like Theories

TL;DR

This study uses lattice simulations to explore the conformal window in SU(3) gauge theories with varying fermion flavors, identifying the range where the theory exhibits conformal behavior versus confinement.

Contribution

It provides new lattice evidence delineating the conformal window for SU(3) theories with fundamental fermions, highlighting the transition between conformal and confining phases.

Findings

Conformal behavior for 12 ≤ Nf ≤ 16

Confinement and chiral symmetry breaking for Nf ≤ 8

Evidence of an infrared fixed point in the conformal window

Abstract

Using lattice simulations, we study the extent of the conformal window for an $\text{SU}(3)$ gauge theory with $N_f$ Dirac fermions in the fundamental representation. We present evidence that the infrared behavior is conformal for $12 \leq N_f \leq 16$, governed by an infrared fixed point, while confinement and chiral symmetry breaking are present for $N_f \leq 8$.