Gradient flow and IR fixed point in SU(2) with Nf=8 flavors

TL;DR

This paper investigates the infrared behavior of SU(2) gauge theory with 8 flavors using gradient flow, providing evidence for an IR fixed point consistent with perturbative predictions.

Contribution

It applies gradient flow with Schrödinger functional boundary conditions to study the running coupling and identifies an IR fixed point in SU(2) with 8 flavors.

Findings

Evidence of an IR fixed point in the coupling flow

Results consistent with perturbation theory

Robust continuum limit for step scaling function

Abstract

We study the running of the coupling in SU(2) gauge theory with 8 massless fundamental representation fermion flavours, using the gradient flow method with the Schr\"odinger functional boundary conditions. Gradient flow allows us to measure robust continuum limit for the step scaling function. The results show a clear indication of infrared fixed point consistent with perturbation theory.