Simulations at fixed topology: fixed topology versus ordinary finite volume corrections

TL;DR

This paper investigates how fixed topology in lattice QCD simulations affects observable calculations, extending existing relations to include ordinary finite volume effects, with numerical results for SU(2) Yang-Mills theory.

Contribution

It extends the relation between fixed and unfixed topology hadron masses by including ordinary finite volume effects, providing a more comprehensive understanding.

Findings

Finite volume corrections are quantitatively characterized.

Numerical results for SU(2) Yang-Mills theory support the extended relation.

The approach improves the accuracy of lattice QCD simulations at fixed topology.

Abstract

Lattice QCD simulations tend to get stuck in a single topological sector at fine lattice spacing, or when using chirally symmetric quarks. In such cases computed observables differ from their full QCD counterparts by finite volume corrections, which need to be understood on a quantitative level. We extend a known relation from the literature between hadron masses at fixed and at unfixed topology by incorporating in addition to topological finite volume effects, also ordinary finite volume effects. We present numerical results for SU(2) Yang-Mills theory.