The continuum limit in the quenched approximation

TL;DR

This paper extends previous lattice QCD calculations in the quenched approximation to analyze how the spectrum approaches the continuum limit, considering effects of quark mass, volume, and lattice spacing.

Contribution

It provides new calculations at different lattice spacings and larger volumes, enabling a more detailed extrapolation to the continuum limit in quenched QCD.

Findings

Spectrum approaches the real-world spectrum as lattice spacing decreases.

Finite volume effects are quantified and minimized.

Extrapolation methods improve understanding of continuum limit in quenched approximation.

Abstract

Previous work at $6/g^2=5.7$ with quenched staggered quarks is extended with new calculations at 5.85 and 6.15 on lattices up to $32^3\times 64$. These calculations allow a more detailed study of extrapolation in quark mass, finite volume and lattice spacing than has heretofore been possible. We discuss how closely the quenched spectrum approaches that of the real world.