More on the flavor dependence of $m_\varrho / f_\pi$

TL;DR

This paper extends previous lattice studies of the $m_\varrho / f_\pi$ ratio in SU(3) gauge theories with multiple fermion flavors, analyzing the flavor dependence and lattice artifacts.

Contribution

It provides new lattice simulation results for $N_f=7$ to 10, exploring flavor dependence and lattice artifacts in the $m_\varrho / f_\pi$ ratio.

Findings

No significant $N_f$-dependence of the ratio observed

Detailed analysis of finite volume effects on low energy observables

Identification of a lattice artifact phase related to staggered fermions

Abstract

In previous work, arXiv:1905.01909, we have calculated the $m_\varrho / f_\pi$ ratio in the chiral and continuum limit for $SU(3)$ gauge theory coupled to $N_f = 2,3,4,5,6$ fermions in the fundamental representation. The main result was that this ratio displays no statistically significant $N_f$-dependence. In the present work we continue the study of the $N_f$-dependence by extending the simulations to $N_f = 7, 8, 9, 10$. Along the way we also study in detail the $N_f$-dependence of finite volume effects on low energy observables and a particular translational symmetry breaking unphysical, lattice artefact phase specific to staggered fermions.