Non-perturbative beta function in three-dimensional electrodynamics

TL;DR

This paper uses the Schrödinger functional method to analyze the beta function of three-dimensional electrodynamics with two fermions, finding evidence for confinement and mass generation instead of conformal behavior.

Contribution

It provides a non-perturbative calculation of the beta function in 3D QED with Nf=2, showing the absence of an infrared fixed point.

Findings

Beta function remains positive, indicating no conformal fixed point.

Evidence of confinement and mass generation in the studied regime.

The theory does not exhibit a conformal infrared regime.

Abstract

We apply the Schrodinger functional method to the Abelian gauge theory in three dimensions with Nf=2 four-component fermions. We find that the calculated beta function does not cross zero in the range of coupling we study. This implies that the theory exhibits confinement and mass generation, rather than a conformal infared regime.