Arlene Cristina Aguilar - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Arlene Cristina Aguilar

Research paper thumbnail of Theory and phenomenology of the three-gluon vertex

Suplemento de la Revista Mexicana de Física

The three-gluon vertex is a fundamental ingredient of the intricate QCD dynamics, being inextrica... more The three-gluon vertex is a fundamental ingredient of the intricate QCD dynamics, being inextricably connected to key nonperturbative phenomena, such as the emergence of a mass scale in the gauge sector of the theory. In this presentation, we review the main theoretical properties of the three-gluon vertex in the Landau gauge, obtained from the fruitful synergy between functional methods and lattice simulations. We pay particular attention to the manifestation and origin of the infrared suppression of its main form factors and the associated zero crossing. In addition, we discuss certain characteristic phenomenological applications that require this special vertex as input.

Research paper thumbnail of Gluon dynamics from an ordinary differential equation

The European Physical Journal C, 2021

We present a novel method for computing the nonperturbative kinetic term of the gluon propagator ... more We present a novel method for computing the nonperturbative kinetic term of the gluon propagator from an ordinary differential equation, whose derivation hinges on the central hypothesis that the regular part of the three-gluon vertex and the aforementioned kinetic term are related by a partial Slavnov–Taylor identity. The main ingredients entering in the solution are projection of the three-gluon vertex and a particular derivative of the ghost-gluon kernel, whose approximate form is derived from a Schwinger–Dyson equation. Crucially, the requirement of a pole-free answer determines the initial condition, whose value is calculated from an integral containing the same ingredients as the solution itself. This feature fixes uniquely, at least in principle, the form of the kinetic term, once the ingredients have been accurately evaluated. In practice, however, due to substantial uncertainties in the computation of the necessary inputs, certain crucial components need be adjusted by hand...

Research paper thumbnail of Gluon propagator and three-gluon vertex with dynamical quarks

The European Physical Journal C, 2020

We present a detailed analysis of the kinetic and mass terms associated with the Landau gauge glu... more We present a detailed analysis of the kinetic and mass terms associated with the Landau gauge gluon propagator in the presence of dynamical quarks, and a comprehensive dynamical study of certain special kinematic limits of the three-gluon vertex. Our approach capitalizes on results from recent lattice simulations with ($$2+1$$2+1) domain wall fermions, a novel nonlinear treatment of the gluon mass equation, and the nonperturbative reconstruction of the longitudinal three-gluon vertex from its fundamental Slavnov–Taylor identities. Particular emphasis is placed on the persistence of the suppression displayed by certain combinations of the vertex form factors at intermediate and low momenta, already known from numerous pure Yang–Mills studies. One of our central findings is that the inclusion of dynamical quarks moderates the intensity of this phenomenon only mildly, leaving the asymptotic low-momentum behavior unaltered, but displaces the characteristic “zero crossing” deeper into th...

Research paper thumbnail of Gluon mass scale through nonlinearities and vertex interplay

Physical Review D, 2019

We present a novel analysis of the gluon gap equation, where its full nonlinear structure is duly... more We present a novel analysis of the gluon gap equation, where its full nonlinear structure is duly taken into account. In particular, while in previous treatments the linearization of this homogeneous integral equation introduced an indeterminacy in the scale of the corresponding mass, the current approach determines it uniquely, once the value of the gauge coupling at a given renormalization point is used as input. A crucial ingredient for this construction is the "kinetic term" of the gluon propagator, whose form is not obtained from the complicated equation governing its evolution, but is rather approximated by suitable initial Ansätze, which are subsequently improved by means of a systematic iterative procedure. The multiplicative renormalization of the central equation is carried out following an approximate method, which is extensively employed in the studies of the standard quark gap equation. This approach amounts to the effective substitution of the vertex renormalization constants by kinematically simplified form factors of the three-and four-gluon vertices. The resulting numerical interplay, exemplified by the infrared suppression of the three-gluon vertex and the mild enhancement of the four-gluon vertex, is instrumental for obtaining positive-definite and monotonically decreasing running gluon masses. The resulting gluon propagators, put together from the gluon masses and kinetic terms obtained with this method, match rather accurately the data obtained from large-volume lattice simulations.

Research paper thumbnail of Mass generation and the problem of seagull divergences

Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2016

The gluon mass generation is a purely non-perturbative effect, and the natural framework to study... more The gluon mass generation is a purely non-perturbative effect, and the natural framework to study it in the continuum are the Schwinger-Dyson equations (SDEs) of the theory. At the level of the SDEs the generation of such a mass is associated with the existence of infrared finite solutions for the gluon propagator. From the theoretical point of view, the dynamical gluon mass generation has been traditionally plagued with seagull divergences. In this work, we will review how such divergences can be eliminated completely by virtue of a characteristic identity, valid in dimensional regularization. As a pedagogical example, we will first discuss in the context of scalar QED how it is possible to eliminate all seagull divergences, by triggering the aforementioned special identity, which enforces the masslessness of the photon. Then, we will discuss what happens in QCD and present an Ansatz for the three gluon vertex, which completely eliminates all seagull divergences and at same time allows for the possibility of a dynamical gluon mass generation.

Research paper thumbnail of New method for determining the quark-gluon vertex

Physical Review D, 2014

We present a novel nonperturbative approach for calculating the form factors of the quark-gluon v... more We present a novel nonperturbative approach for calculating the form factors of the quark-gluon vertex, in a general covariant gauge. The key ingredient of this method is the exact all-order relation connecting the conventional quark-gluon vertex with the corresponding vertex of the background field method, which is Abelian-like. When this latter relation is combined with the standard gauge technique, supplemented by a crucial set of transverse Ward identities, it allows the approximate determination of the nonperturbative behavior of all twelve form factors comprising the quarkgluon vertex, for arbitrary values of the momenta. The actual implementation of this procedure is carried out in the Landau gauge, in order to make contact with the results of lattice simulations performed in this particular gauge. The most demanding technical aspect involves the calculation of certain (fully-dressed) auxiliary three-point functions, using lattice data as input for the gluon propagators appearing in their diagrammatic expansion. The numerical evaluation of the relevant form factors in three special kinematical configurations (soft gluon and quark symmetric limit, zero quark momentum) is carried out in detail, finding rather good agreement with the available lattice data. Most notably, a concrete mechanism is proposed for explaining the puzzling divergence of one of these form factors observed in lattice simulations.

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of divergent ghost loops on the Green’s functions of QCD

Physical Review D, 2014

In the present work we discuss certain characteristic features encoded in some of the fundamental... more In the present work we discuss certain characteristic features encoded in some of the fundamental QCD Green's functions, whose origin can be traced back to the nonperturbative masslessness of the ghost field, in the Landau gauge. Specifically, the ghost loops that contribute to these Green's functions display infrared divergences, akin to those encountered in the perturbative treatment, in contradistinction to the gluonic loops, whose perturbative divergences are tamed by the dynamical generation of an effective gluon mass. In d = 4, the aforementioned divergences are logarithmic, thus causing a relatively mild impact, whereas in d = 3 they are linear, giving rise to enhanced effects. In the case of the gluon propagator, these effects do not interfere with its finiteness, but make its first derivative diverge at the origin, and introduce a maximum in the region of infrared momenta. The three-gluon vertex is also affected, and the induced divergent behavior is clearly exposed in certain special kinematic configurations, usually considered in lattice simulations; the sign of the corresponding divergence is unambiguously determined. The main underlying concepts are developed in the context of a simple toy model, which demonstrates clearly the interconnected nature of the various effects. The picture that emerges is subsequently corroborated by a detailed nonperturbative analysis, combining lattice results with the dynamical integral equations governing the relevant ingredients, such as the nonperturbative ghost loop and the momentum-dependent gluon mass.

Research paper thumbnail of Nonperturbative structure of the ghost-gluon kernel

Physical Review D, 2019

The ghost-gluon scattering kernel is a special correlation function that is intimately connected ... more The ghost-gluon scattering kernel is a special correlation function that is intimately connected with two fundamental vertices of the gauge sector of QCD: the ghost-gluon vertex, which may be obtained from it through suitable contraction, and the three-gluon vertex, whose Slavnov-Taylor identity contains that kernel as one of its main ingredients. In this work we present a detailed nonperturbative study of the five form factors comprising it, using as starting point the "one-loop dressed" approximation of the dynamical equations governing their evolution. The analysis is carried out for arbitrary Euclidean momenta, and makes extensive use of the gluon propagator and the ghost dressing function, whose infrared behavior has been firmly established from a multitude of continuum studies and large-volume lattice simulations. In addition, special Ansätze are employed for the vertices entering in the relevant equations, and their impact on the results is scrutinized in detail. Quite interestingly, the veracity of the approximations employed may be quantitatively tested by appealing to an exact relation, which fixes the value of a special combination of the form factors under construction. The results obtained furnish the two form factors of the ghost-gluon vertex for arbitrary momenta, and, more importantly, pave the way towards the nonperturbative generalization of the Ball-Chiu construction for the longitudinal part of the three-gluon vertex.

Research paper thumbnail of Equações de Schwinger-Dyson e quebra dinâmica de simetrias

Research paper thumbnail of Feynman diagrams: The power of a picture

The purpose of this paper is to present a brief introduction to QED Feynman diagrams. We will sta... more The purpose of this paper is to present a brief introduction to QED Feynman diagrams. We will start with a concise historical description of how this powerful diagrammatic technique was developed by Feynman. Next, the basic elements, i.e. propagators and vertices, which form the diagrams are presented. We discuss the physical meaning associated with the diagrams and list the main Feynman rules, which are needed for the calculations at the lower perturbation level. Then, the following three fundamental QED processes are analyzed: (i) Bhabha scattering, (ii) Compton and (iii) the annihilation of the electron-positron pair. Finally, we will discuss how the perturbative series, at higher order, is generated graphically for the specific case of the Moller scattering.

Research paper thumbnail of A new method for computing the quark-gluon vertex

Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2015

In this talk we present a new method for determining the nonperturbative quark-gluon vertex, whic... more In this talk we present a new method for determining the nonperturbative quark-gluon vertex, which constitutes a crucial ingredient for a variety of theoretical and phenomenological studies. This new method relies heavily on the exact all-order relation connecting the conventional quark-gluon vertex with the corresponding vertex of the background field method, which is Abelian-like. The longitudinal part of this latter quantity is fixed using the standard gauge technique, whereas the transverse is estimated with the help of the so-called transverse Ward identities. This method allows the approximate determination of the nonperturbative behavior of all twelve form factors comprising the quark-gluon vertex, for arbitrary values of the momenta. Numerical results are presented for the form factors in three special kinematical configurations (soft gluon and quark symmetric limit, zero quark momentum), and compared with the corresponding lattice data.

Research paper thumbnail of Quark mass generation with Schwinger-Dyson equations

arXiv: High Energy Physics - Phenomenology, 2018

In this talk, we review some of the current efforts to understand the phenomenon of chiral symmet... more In this talk, we review some of the current efforts to understand the phenomenon of chiral symmetry breaking and the generation of a dynamical quark mass. To do that, we will use the standard framework of the Schwinger-Dyson equations. The key ingredient in this analysis is the quark-gluon vertex, whose non-transverse part may be determined exactly from the nonlinear Slavnov-Taylor identity that it satisfies. The resulting expressions for the form factors of this vertex involve not only the quark propagator, but also the ghost dressing function and the quark-ghost kernel. Solving the coupled system of integral equations formed by the quark propagator and the four form factors of the scattering kernel, we carry out a detailed study of the impact of the quark gluon vertex on the gap equation and the quark masses generated from it, putting particular emphasis on the contributions directly related with the ghost sector of the theory, and especially the quark-ghost kernel. Particular att...

Research paper thumbnail of Pion and kaon structure at the electron-ion collider

The European Physical Journal A, 2019

Understanding the origin and dynamics of hadron structure and in turn that of atomic nuclei is a ... more Understanding the origin and dynamics of hadron structure and in turn that of atomic nuclei is a central goal of nuclear physics. This challenge entails the questions of how does the roughly 1 GeV mass-scale that characterizes atomic nuclei appear; why does it have the observed value; and, enigmatically, why are the composite Nambu-Goldstone (NG) bosons in quantum chromodynamics (QCD) abnormally light in comparison? In this perspective, we provide an analysis of the mass budget of the pion and proton in QCD; discuss the special role of the kaon, which lies near the boundary between dominance of strong and Higgs mass-generation mechanisms; and explain the need for a coherent effort in QCD phenomenology and continuum calculations, in exa-scale computing as provided by lattice QCD, and in experiments to make progress in understanding the origins of hadron masses and the distribution of that mass within them. We compare the unique capabilities foreseen at the electron-ion collider (EIC) with those at the hadron-electron ring accelerator (HERA), the

Research paper thumbnail of Mass generation in Yang-Mills theories

EPJ Web of Conferences, 2017

In this talk we review recent progress on our understanding of the nonperturbative phenomenon of ... more In this talk we review recent progress on our understanding of the nonperturbative phenomenon of mass generation in non-Abelian gauge theories, and the way it manifests itself at the level of the gluon propagator, thus establishing a close contact with a variety of results obtained in large-volume lattice simulations. The key observation is that, due to an exact cancellation operating at the level of the Schwinger-Dyson equations, the gluon propagator remains rigorously massless, provided that the fully-dressed vertices of the theory do not contain massless poles. The inclusion of such poles activates the well-known Schwinger mechanism, which permits the evasion of the aforementioned cancellation, and accounts for the observed infrared finiteness of the gluon propagator both in the Landau gauge and away from it.

Research paper thumbnail of Nonperturbative Ball-Chiu construction of the three-gluon vertex

Research paper thumbnail of Non-Abelian Ball-Chiu vertex for arbitrary Euclidean momenta

Physical Review D, 2017

We determine the non-Abelian version of the four non-transverse form factors of the quark-gluon v... more We determine the non-Abelian version of the four non-transverse form factors of the quark-gluon vertex, using exact expressions derived from the Slavnov-Taylor identity that this vertex satisfies. In addition to the quark and ghost propagators, a key ingredient of the present approach is the quark-ghost scattering kernel, which is computed within the one-loop dressed approximation. The vertex form factors obtained from this procedure are evaluated for arbitrary Euclidean momenta, and display features not captured by the well-known Ball-Chiu vertex, deduced from the Abelian (ghost-free) Ward identity. Particularly interesting in this analysis is the so-called soft gluon limit, which, unlike other kinematic configurations considered, is especially sensitive to the approximations employed for the vertex entering in the quark-ghost scattering kernel, and may even be affected by a subtle numerical instability. As an elementary application of the results obtained, we evaluate and compare certain renormalization-point-independent combinations, which contribute to the interaction kernels appearing in the standard quark gap and Bethe-Salpeter equations. In doing so, even though all form factors of the quark-gluon vertex, and in particular the transverse ones which are unconstrained by our procedure, enter non-trivially in the aforementioned kernels, only the contribution of a single form factor, corresponding to the classical (tree-level) tensor, will be considered.

Research paper thumbnail of Unified description of seagull cancellations and infrared finiteness of gluon propagators

Physical Review D, 2016

We present a generalized theoretical framework for dealing with the important issue of dynamical ... more We present a generalized theoretical framework for dealing with the important issue of dynamical mass generation in Yang-Mills theories, and, in particular, with the infrared finiteness of the gluon propagators, observed in a multitude of recent lattice simulations. Our analysis is manifestly gauge-invariant, in the sense that it preserves the transversality of the gluon self-energy, and gauge-independent, given that the conclusions do not depend on the choice of the gauge-fixing parameter within the linear covariant gauges. The central construction relies crucially on the subtle interplay between the Abelian Ward identities satisfied by the nonperturbative vertices and a special integral identity that enforces a vast number of 'seagull cancellations' among the oneand two-loop dressed diagrams of the gluon Schwinger-Dyson equation. The key result of these considerations is that the gluon propagator remains rigorously massless, provided that the vertices do not contain (dynamical) massless poles. When such poles are incorporated into the vertices, under the pivotal requirement of respecting the gauge symmetry of the theory, the terms comprising the Ward identities conspire in such a way as to still enforce the total annihilation of all quadratic divergences, inducing, at the same time, residual contributions that account for the saturation of gluon propagators in the deep infrared.

Research paper thumbnail of The gluon mass generation mechanism: A concise primer

Frontiers of Physics, 2016

We present a pedagogical overview of the nonperturbative mechanism that endows gluons with a dyna... more We present a pedagogical overview of the nonperturbative mechanism that endows gluons with a dynamical mass. This analysis is performed based on pure Yang-Mills theories in the Landau gauge, within the theoretical framework that emerges from the combination of the pinch technique with the background field method. In particular, we concentrate on the Schwinger-Dyson equation satisfied by the gluon propagator and examine the necessary conditions for obtaining finite solutions within the infrared region. The role of seagull diagrams receives particular attention, as do the identities that enforce the cancellation of all potential quadratic divergences. We stress the necessity of introducing nonperturbative massless poles in the fully dressed vertices of the theory in order to trigger the Schwinger mechanism, and explain in detail the instrumental role of these poles in maintaining the Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin symmetry at every step of the mass-generating procedure. The dynamical equation governing the evolution of the gluon mass is derived, and its solutions are determined numerically following implementation of a set of simplifying assumptions. The obtained mass function is positive definite, and exhibits a power law running that is consistent with general arguments based on the operator product expansion in the ultraviolet region. A possible connection between confinement and the presence of an inflection point in the gluon propagator is briefly discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Massless bound-state excitations and the Schwinger mechanism in QCD

Physical Review D, 2012

The gauge invariant generation of an effective gluon mass proceeds through the well-known Schwing... more The gauge invariant generation of an effective gluon mass proceeds through the well-known Schwinger mechanism, whose key dynamical ingredient is the nonperturbative formation of longitudinally coupled massless bound-state excitations. These excitations introduce poles in the vertices of the theory, in such a way as to maintain the Slavnov-Taylor identities intact in the presence of massive gluon propagators. In the present work we first focus on the modifications induced to the nonperturbative three-gluon vertex by the inclusion of massless two-gluon bound-states into the kernels appearing in its skeleton-expansion. Certain general relations between the basic building blocks of these bound-states and the gluon mass are then obtained from the Slavnov-Taylor identities and the Schwinger-Dyson equation governing the gluon propagator. The homogeneous Bethe-Salpeter equation determining the wave-function of the aforementioned bound state is then derived, under certain simplifying assumptions. It is then shown, through a detailed analytical and numerical study, that this equation admits non-trivial solutions, indicating that the QCD dynamics support indeed the formation of such massless bound states. These solutions are subsequently used, in conjunction with the aforementioned relations, to determine the momentum-dependence of the dynamical gluon mass. Finally, further possibilities and open questions are briefly discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Relating a Gluon Mass Scale to an Infrared Fixed Point in Pure Gauge QCD

Physical Review Letters, 2003

We show that in pure gauge QCD (or any pure non-Abelian gauge theory) the condition for the exist... more We show that in pure gauge QCD (or any pure non-Abelian gauge theory) the condition for the existence of a global minimum of energy with a gluon (gauge boson) mass scale also implies the existence of a fixed point of the β function. We argue that the frozen value of the coupling constant found in some solutions of the Schwinger-Dyson equations of QCD can be related to this fixed point. We also discuss how the inclusion of fermions modifies this property.

Research paper thumbnail of Theory and phenomenology of the three-gluon vertex

Suplemento de la Revista Mexicana de Física

The three-gluon vertex is a fundamental ingredient of the intricate QCD dynamics, being inextrica... more The three-gluon vertex is a fundamental ingredient of the intricate QCD dynamics, being inextricably connected to key nonperturbative phenomena, such as the emergence of a mass scale in the gauge sector of the theory. In this presentation, we review the main theoretical properties of the three-gluon vertex in the Landau gauge, obtained from the fruitful synergy between functional methods and lattice simulations. We pay particular attention to the manifestation and origin of the infrared suppression of its main form factors and the associated zero crossing. In addition, we discuss certain characteristic phenomenological applications that require this special vertex as input.

Research paper thumbnail of Gluon dynamics from an ordinary differential equation

The European Physical Journal C, 2021

We present a novel method for computing the nonperturbative kinetic term of the gluon propagator ... more We present a novel method for computing the nonperturbative kinetic term of the gluon propagator from an ordinary differential equation, whose derivation hinges on the central hypothesis that the regular part of the three-gluon vertex and the aforementioned kinetic term are related by a partial Slavnov–Taylor identity. The main ingredients entering in the solution are projection of the three-gluon vertex and a particular derivative of the ghost-gluon kernel, whose approximate form is derived from a Schwinger–Dyson equation. Crucially, the requirement of a pole-free answer determines the initial condition, whose value is calculated from an integral containing the same ingredients as the solution itself. This feature fixes uniquely, at least in principle, the form of the kinetic term, once the ingredients have been accurately evaluated. In practice, however, due to substantial uncertainties in the computation of the necessary inputs, certain crucial components need be adjusted by hand...

Research paper thumbnail of Gluon propagator and three-gluon vertex with dynamical quarks

The European Physical Journal C, 2020

We present a detailed analysis of the kinetic and mass terms associated with the Landau gauge glu... more We present a detailed analysis of the kinetic and mass terms associated with the Landau gauge gluon propagator in the presence of dynamical quarks, and a comprehensive dynamical study of certain special kinematic limits of the three-gluon vertex. Our approach capitalizes on results from recent lattice simulations with ($$2+1$$2+1) domain wall fermions, a novel nonlinear treatment of the gluon mass equation, and the nonperturbative reconstruction of the longitudinal three-gluon vertex from its fundamental Slavnov–Taylor identities. Particular emphasis is placed on the persistence of the suppression displayed by certain combinations of the vertex form factors at intermediate and low momenta, already known from numerous pure Yang–Mills studies. One of our central findings is that the inclusion of dynamical quarks moderates the intensity of this phenomenon only mildly, leaving the asymptotic low-momentum behavior unaltered, but displaces the characteristic “zero crossing” deeper into th...

Research paper thumbnail of Gluon mass scale through nonlinearities and vertex interplay

Physical Review D, 2019

We present a novel analysis of the gluon gap equation, where its full nonlinear structure is duly... more We present a novel analysis of the gluon gap equation, where its full nonlinear structure is duly taken into account. In particular, while in previous treatments the linearization of this homogeneous integral equation introduced an indeterminacy in the scale of the corresponding mass, the current approach determines it uniquely, once the value of the gauge coupling at a given renormalization point is used as input. A crucial ingredient for this construction is the "kinetic term" of the gluon propagator, whose form is not obtained from the complicated equation governing its evolution, but is rather approximated by suitable initial Ansätze, which are subsequently improved by means of a systematic iterative procedure. The multiplicative renormalization of the central equation is carried out following an approximate method, which is extensively employed in the studies of the standard quark gap equation. This approach amounts to the effective substitution of the vertex renormalization constants by kinematically simplified form factors of the three-and four-gluon vertices. The resulting numerical interplay, exemplified by the infrared suppression of the three-gluon vertex and the mild enhancement of the four-gluon vertex, is instrumental for obtaining positive-definite and monotonically decreasing running gluon masses. The resulting gluon propagators, put together from the gluon masses and kinetic terms obtained with this method, match rather accurately the data obtained from large-volume lattice simulations.

Research paper thumbnail of Mass generation and the problem of seagull divergences

Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2016

The gluon mass generation is a purely non-perturbative effect, and the natural framework to study... more The gluon mass generation is a purely non-perturbative effect, and the natural framework to study it in the continuum are the Schwinger-Dyson equations (SDEs) of the theory. At the level of the SDEs the generation of such a mass is associated with the existence of infrared finite solutions for the gluon propagator. From the theoretical point of view, the dynamical gluon mass generation has been traditionally plagued with seagull divergences. In this work, we will review how such divergences can be eliminated completely by virtue of a characteristic identity, valid in dimensional regularization. As a pedagogical example, we will first discuss in the context of scalar QED how it is possible to eliminate all seagull divergences, by triggering the aforementioned special identity, which enforces the masslessness of the photon. Then, we will discuss what happens in QCD and present an Ansatz for the three gluon vertex, which completely eliminates all seagull divergences and at same time allows for the possibility of a dynamical gluon mass generation.

Research paper thumbnail of New method for determining the quark-gluon vertex

Physical Review D, 2014

We present a novel nonperturbative approach for calculating the form factors of the quark-gluon v... more We present a novel nonperturbative approach for calculating the form factors of the quark-gluon vertex, in a general covariant gauge. The key ingredient of this method is the exact all-order relation connecting the conventional quark-gluon vertex with the corresponding vertex of the background field method, which is Abelian-like. When this latter relation is combined with the standard gauge technique, supplemented by a crucial set of transverse Ward identities, it allows the approximate determination of the nonperturbative behavior of all twelve form factors comprising the quarkgluon vertex, for arbitrary values of the momenta. The actual implementation of this procedure is carried out in the Landau gauge, in order to make contact with the results of lattice simulations performed in this particular gauge. The most demanding technical aspect involves the calculation of certain (fully-dressed) auxiliary three-point functions, using lattice data as input for the gluon propagators appearing in their diagrammatic expansion. The numerical evaluation of the relevant form factors in three special kinematical configurations (soft gluon and quark symmetric limit, zero quark momentum) is carried out in detail, finding rather good agreement with the available lattice data. Most notably, a concrete mechanism is proposed for explaining the puzzling divergence of one of these form factors observed in lattice simulations.

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of divergent ghost loops on the Green’s functions of QCD

Physical Review D, 2014

In the present work we discuss certain characteristic features encoded in some of the fundamental... more In the present work we discuss certain characteristic features encoded in some of the fundamental QCD Green's functions, whose origin can be traced back to the nonperturbative masslessness of the ghost field, in the Landau gauge. Specifically, the ghost loops that contribute to these Green's functions display infrared divergences, akin to those encountered in the perturbative treatment, in contradistinction to the gluonic loops, whose perturbative divergences are tamed by the dynamical generation of an effective gluon mass. In d = 4, the aforementioned divergences are logarithmic, thus causing a relatively mild impact, whereas in d = 3 they are linear, giving rise to enhanced effects. In the case of the gluon propagator, these effects do not interfere with its finiteness, but make its first derivative diverge at the origin, and introduce a maximum in the region of infrared momenta. The three-gluon vertex is also affected, and the induced divergent behavior is clearly exposed in certain special kinematic configurations, usually considered in lattice simulations; the sign of the corresponding divergence is unambiguously determined. The main underlying concepts are developed in the context of a simple toy model, which demonstrates clearly the interconnected nature of the various effects. The picture that emerges is subsequently corroborated by a detailed nonperturbative analysis, combining lattice results with the dynamical integral equations governing the relevant ingredients, such as the nonperturbative ghost loop and the momentum-dependent gluon mass.

Research paper thumbnail of Nonperturbative structure of the ghost-gluon kernel

Physical Review D, 2019

The ghost-gluon scattering kernel is a special correlation function that is intimately connected ... more The ghost-gluon scattering kernel is a special correlation function that is intimately connected with two fundamental vertices of the gauge sector of QCD: the ghost-gluon vertex, which may be obtained from it through suitable contraction, and the three-gluon vertex, whose Slavnov-Taylor identity contains that kernel as one of its main ingredients. In this work we present a detailed nonperturbative study of the five form factors comprising it, using as starting point the "one-loop dressed" approximation of the dynamical equations governing their evolution. The analysis is carried out for arbitrary Euclidean momenta, and makes extensive use of the gluon propagator and the ghost dressing function, whose infrared behavior has been firmly established from a multitude of continuum studies and large-volume lattice simulations. In addition, special Ansätze are employed for the vertices entering in the relevant equations, and their impact on the results is scrutinized in detail. Quite interestingly, the veracity of the approximations employed may be quantitatively tested by appealing to an exact relation, which fixes the value of a special combination of the form factors under construction. The results obtained furnish the two form factors of the ghost-gluon vertex for arbitrary momenta, and, more importantly, pave the way towards the nonperturbative generalization of the Ball-Chiu construction for the longitudinal part of the three-gluon vertex.

Research paper thumbnail of Equações de Schwinger-Dyson e quebra dinâmica de simetrias

Research paper thumbnail of Feynman diagrams: The power of a picture

The purpose of this paper is to present a brief introduction to QED Feynman diagrams. We will sta... more The purpose of this paper is to present a brief introduction to QED Feynman diagrams. We will start with a concise historical description of how this powerful diagrammatic technique was developed by Feynman. Next, the basic elements, i.e. propagators and vertices, which form the diagrams are presented. We discuss the physical meaning associated with the diagrams and list the main Feynman rules, which are needed for the calculations at the lower perturbation level. Then, the following three fundamental QED processes are analyzed: (i) Bhabha scattering, (ii) Compton and (iii) the annihilation of the electron-positron pair. Finally, we will discuss how the perturbative series, at higher order, is generated graphically for the specific case of the Moller scattering.

Research paper thumbnail of A new method for computing the quark-gluon vertex

Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2015

In this talk we present a new method for determining the nonperturbative quark-gluon vertex, whic... more In this talk we present a new method for determining the nonperturbative quark-gluon vertex, which constitutes a crucial ingredient for a variety of theoretical and phenomenological studies. This new method relies heavily on the exact all-order relation connecting the conventional quark-gluon vertex with the corresponding vertex of the background field method, which is Abelian-like. The longitudinal part of this latter quantity is fixed using the standard gauge technique, whereas the transverse is estimated with the help of the so-called transverse Ward identities. This method allows the approximate determination of the nonperturbative behavior of all twelve form factors comprising the quark-gluon vertex, for arbitrary values of the momenta. Numerical results are presented for the form factors in three special kinematical configurations (soft gluon and quark symmetric limit, zero quark momentum), and compared with the corresponding lattice data.

Research paper thumbnail of Quark mass generation with Schwinger-Dyson equations

arXiv: High Energy Physics - Phenomenology, 2018

In this talk, we review some of the current efforts to understand the phenomenon of chiral symmet... more In this talk, we review some of the current efforts to understand the phenomenon of chiral symmetry breaking and the generation of a dynamical quark mass. To do that, we will use the standard framework of the Schwinger-Dyson equations. The key ingredient in this analysis is the quark-gluon vertex, whose non-transverse part may be determined exactly from the nonlinear Slavnov-Taylor identity that it satisfies. The resulting expressions for the form factors of this vertex involve not only the quark propagator, but also the ghost dressing function and the quark-ghost kernel. Solving the coupled system of integral equations formed by the quark propagator and the four form factors of the scattering kernel, we carry out a detailed study of the impact of the quark gluon vertex on the gap equation and the quark masses generated from it, putting particular emphasis on the contributions directly related with the ghost sector of the theory, and especially the quark-ghost kernel. Particular att...

Research paper thumbnail of Pion and kaon structure at the electron-ion collider

The European Physical Journal A, 2019

Understanding the origin and dynamics of hadron structure and in turn that of atomic nuclei is a ... more Understanding the origin and dynamics of hadron structure and in turn that of atomic nuclei is a central goal of nuclear physics. This challenge entails the questions of how does the roughly 1 GeV mass-scale that characterizes atomic nuclei appear; why does it have the observed value; and, enigmatically, why are the composite Nambu-Goldstone (NG) bosons in quantum chromodynamics (QCD) abnormally light in comparison? In this perspective, we provide an analysis of the mass budget of the pion and proton in QCD; discuss the special role of the kaon, which lies near the boundary between dominance of strong and Higgs mass-generation mechanisms; and explain the need for a coherent effort in QCD phenomenology and continuum calculations, in exa-scale computing as provided by lattice QCD, and in experiments to make progress in understanding the origins of hadron masses and the distribution of that mass within them. We compare the unique capabilities foreseen at the electron-ion collider (EIC) with those at the hadron-electron ring accelerator (HERA), the

Research paper thumbnail of Mass generation in Yang-Mills theories

EPJ Web of Conferences, 2017

In this talk we review recent progress on our understanding of the nonperturbative phenomenon of ... more In this talk we review recent progress on our understanding of the nonperturbative phenomenon of mass generation in non-Abelian gauge theories, and the way it manifests itself at the level of the gluon propagator, thus establishing a close contact with a variety of results obtained in large-volume lattice simulations. The key observation is that, due to an exact cancellation operating at the level of the Schwinger-Dyson equations, the gluon propagator remains rigorously massless, provided that the fully-dressed vertices of the theory do not contain massless poles. The inclusion of such poles activates the well-known Schwinger mechanism, which permits the evasion of the aforementioned cancellation, and accounts for the observed infrared finiteness of the gluon propagator both in the Landau gauge and away from it.

Research paper thumbnail of Nonperturbative Ball-Chiu construction of the three-gluon vertex

Research paper thumbnail of Non-Abelian Ball-Chiu vertex for arbitrary Euclidean momenta

Physical Review D, 2017

We determine the non-Abelian version of the four non-transverse form factors of the quark-gluon v... more We determine the non-Abelian version of the four non-transverse form factors of the quark-gluon vertex, using exact expressions derived from the Slavnov-Taylor identity that this vertex satisfies. In addition to the quark and ghost propagators, a key ingredient of the present approach is the quark-ghost scattering kernel, which is computed within the one-loop dressed approximation. The vertex form factors obtained from this procedure are evaluated for arbitrary Euclidean momenta, and display features not captured by the well-known Ball-Chiu vertex, deduced from the Abelian (ghost-free) Ward identity. Particularly interesting in this analysis is the so-called soft gluon limit, which, unlike other kinematic configurations considered, is especially sensitive to the approximations employed for the vertex entering in the quark-ghost scattering kernel, and may even be affected by a subtle numerical instability. As an elementary application of the results obtained, we evaluate and compare certain renormalization-point-independent combinations, which contribute to the interaction kernels appearing in the standard quark gap and Bethe-Salpeter equations. In doing so, even though all form factors of the quark-gluon vertex, and in particular the transverse ones which are unconstrained by our procedure, enter non-trivially in the aforementioned kernels, only the contribution of a single form factor, corresponding to the classical (tree-level) tensor, will be considered.

Research paper thumbnail of Unified description of seagull cancellations and infrared finiteness of gluon propagators

Physical Review D, 2016

We present a generalized theoretical framework for dealing with the important issue of dynamical ... more We present a generalized theoretical framework for dealing with the important issue of dynamical mass generation in Yang-Mills theories, and, in particular, with the infrared finiteness of the gluon propagators, observed in a multitude of recent lattice simulations. Our analysis is manifestly gauge-invariant, in the sense that it preserves the transversality of the gluon self-energy, and gauge-independent, given that the conclusions do not depend on the choice of the gauge-fixing parameter within the linear covariant gauges. The central construction relies crucially on the subtle interplay between the Abelian Ward identities satisfied by the nonperturbative vertices and a special integral identity that enforces a vast number of 'seagull cancellations' among the oneand two-loop dressed diagrams of the gluon Schwinger-Dyson equation. The key result of these considerations is that the gluon propagator remains rigorously massless, provided that the vertices do not contain (dynamical) massless poles. When such poles are incorporated into the vertices, under the pivotal requirement of respecting the gauge symmetry of the theory, the terms comprising the Ward identities conspire in such a way as to still enforce the total annihilation of all quadratic divergences, inducing, at the same time, residual contributions that account for the saturation of gluon propagators in the deep infrared.

Research paper thumbnail of The gluon mass generation mechanism: A concise primer

Frontiers of Physics, 2016

We present a pedagogical overview of the nonperturbative mechanism that endows gluons with a dyna... more We present a pedagogical overview of the nonperturbative mechanism that endows gluons with a dynamical mass. This analysis is performed based on pure Yang-Mills theories in the Landau gauge, within the theoretical framework that emerges from the combination of the pinch technique with the background field method. In particular, we concentrate on the Schwinger-Dyson equation satisfied by the gluon propagator and examine the necessary conditions for obtaining finite solutions within the infrared region. The role of seagull diagrams receives particular attention, as do the identities that enforce the cancellation of all potential quadratic divergences. We stress the necessity of introducing nonperturbative massless poles in the fully dressed vertices of the theory in order to trigger the Schwinger mechanism, and explain in detail the instrumental role of these poles in maintaining the Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin symmetry at every step of the mass-generating procedure. The dynamical equation governing the evolution of the gluon mass is derived, and its solutions are determined numerically following implementation of a set of simplifying assumptions. The obtained mass function is positive definite, and exhibits a power law running that is consistent with general arguments based on the operator product expansion in the ultraviolet region. A possible connection between confinement and the presence of an inflection point in the gluon propagator is briefly discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Massless bound-state excitations and the Schwinger mechanism in QCD

Physical Review D, 2012

The gauge invariant generation of an effective gluon mass proceeds through the well-known Schwing... more The gauge invariant generation of an effective gluon mass proceeds through the well-known Schwinger mechanism, whose key dynamical ingredient is the nonperturbative formation of longitudinally coupled massless bound-state excitations. These excitations introduce poles in the vertices of the theory, in such a way as to maintain the Slavnov-Taylor identities intact in the presence of massive gluon propagators. In the present work we first focus on the modifications induced to the nonperturbative three-gluon vertex by the inclusion of massless two-gluon bound-states into the kernels appearing in its skeleton-expansion. Certain general relations between the basic building blocks of these bound-states and the gluon mass are then obtained from the Slavnov-Taylor identities and the Schwinger-Dyson equation governing the gluon propagator. The homogeneous Bethe-Salpeter equation determining the wave-function of the aforementioned bound state is then derived, under certain simplifying assumptions. It is then shown, through a detailed analytical and numerical study, that this equation admits non-trivial solutions, indicating that the QCD dynamics support indeed the formation of such massless bound states. These solutions are subsequently used, in conjunction with the aforementioned relations, to determine the momentum-dependence of the dynamical gluon mass. Finally, further possibilities and open questions are briefly discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Relating a Gluon Mass Scale to an Infrared Fixed Point in Pure Gauge QCD

Physical Review Letters, 2003

We show that in pure gauge QCD (or any pure non-Abelian gauge theory) the condition for the exist... more We show that in pure gauge QCD (or any pure non-Abelian gauge theory) the condition for the existence of a global minimum of energy with a gluon (gauge boson) mass scale also implies the existence of a fixed point of the β function. We argue that the frozen value of the coupling constant found in some solutions of the Schwinger-Dyson equations of QCD can be related to this fixed point. We also discuss how the inclusion of fermions modifies this property.