Lattice QCD with a twisted mass term and a strange quark

TL;DR

This paper investigates different methods of incorporating the strange quark into twisted mass lattice QCD, analyzing their effects on kaon masses through both analytical and numerical approaches.

Contribution

It explores various strategies for including three quark flavors in twisted mass lattice QCD and evaluates their advantages and disadvantages.

Findings

Different approaches have distinct benefits and drawbacks.

Analytical and numerical analyses provide insights into kaon mass behavior.

The study guides optimal inclusion of the strange quark in twisted mass QCD.

Abstract

There are three quarks with masses at or below the characteristic scale of QCD dynamics: up, down and strange. However, twisted mass lattice QCD relies on quark doublets. Various options for including three quark flavors within the twisted mass approach are explored by studying the kaon masses, both analytically (through chiral Lagrangians) and numerically (through lattice simulations). Advantages and disadvantages are revealed for each ``strange and twisted'' option.