Investigating the conformal behaviour of SU(2) with one adjoint Dirac flavor

TL;DR

This study explores the infrared behavior of SU(2) gauge theory with one adjoint Dirac flavor using lattice simulations, providing new data on its spectrum and conformal properties.

Contribution

It offers the first comprehensive lattice analysis of SU(2) with one adjoint Dirac flavor across multiple volumes and couplings, elucidating its proximity to the conformal window.

Findings

The theory is near the lower boundary of the conformal window.

Spectrum data supports near-conformal behavior.

Results inform infrared scenario conjectures for this theory.

Abstract

We present a major update on our investigations of SU(2) gauge theory with one Dirac flavor in the adjoint representation on the lattice. In particular we consider larger volumes, as well as four different values of the gauge coupling. We provide results for the spectrum including gluonic, fermionic, and hybrid observables, Polyakov loops, and the anomalous dimension of the fermionic condensate from the Dirac mode number. These data confirm that the theory is close to the lower boundary of the conformal window for adjoint fermions. Our investigations provide important insights regarding the realization of different infrared scenarios that have been conjectured for this theory.