Gravitational corrections to the two-loop beta function in a non-Abelian gauge theory

TL;DR

This paper calculates how gravity influences the two-loop beta function in non-Abelian gauge theories, suggesting gravitational effects could induce a non-trivial ultraviolet fixed point depending on the gauge group and fermion count.

Contribution

It provides the first calculation of gravitational corrections to the two-loop beta function in non-Abelian gauge theories using an effective field theory approach.

Findings

Gravitational corrections can lead to a non-trivial UV fixed point.

The effect depends on the gauge group and number of fermions.

Results are obtained using the one-graviton exchange approximation.

Abstract

This paper investigates the coupling of massive fermions to gravity within the context of a non-Abelian gauge theory, utilizing the effective field theory framework for quantum gravity. Specifically, we calculate the two-loop beta function of the gauge coupling constant in a non-Abelian gauge theory, employing the one-graviton exchange approximation. Our findings reveal that gravitational corrections may lead to a non-trivial UV fixed point in the beta function of the gauge coupling constant, contingent upon the specific gauge group and the quantity of fermions involved.