Dirk Pleiter

Moments of pseudoscalar meson distribution amplitudes from the lattice

Based on lattice simulations with two flavours of dynamical, O(a)-improved Wilson fermions we present results for the first two moments of the distribution amplitudes of pseudoscalar mesons at several values of the valence quark masses. By extrapolating our results to the physical masses of up/down and strange quarks, we find the first two moments of the K^+ distribution amplitude and the second moment of the pi^+ distribution amplitude. We use nonperturbatively determined renormalisation coefficients to obtain results in the MSbar scheme. At a scale of 4 GeV^2 we find a_2^pi=0.201(114) for the second Gegenbauer moment of the pions distribution amplitude, while for the kaon, a_1^K=0.0453(9)(29) and a_2^K=0.175(18)(47).

A determination of the Lambda parameter from full lattice QCD

We present a determination of the QCD parameter Lambda in the quenched approximation (n_f=0) and for two flavours (n_f=2) of light dynamical quarks. The calculations are performed on the lattice using O(a) improved Wilson fermions and include taking the continuum limit. We find Lambda_{n_f=0} = 259(1)(20) MeV and Lambda_{n_f=2} = 261(17)(26) MeV}, using r_0 = 0.467 fm to set the scale. Extrapolating our results to five flavours, we obtain for the running coupling constant at the mass of the Z boson alpha_s(m_Z) = 0.112(1)(2). All numbers refer to the MSbar scheme.

The strange and light quark contributions to the nucleon mass from Lattice QCD

We determine the strangeness and light quark fractions of the nucleon mass by computing the quark line connected and disconnected contributions to the matrix elements m_q in lattice QCD, using the non-perturbatively improved Sheikholeslami-Wohlert Wilson Fermionic action. We simulate n_F=2 mass degenerate sea quarks with a pion mass of about 285 MeV and a lattice spacing a approx 0.073 fm. The renormalization of the matrix elements involves mixing between contributions from different quark flavours. The pion-nucleon sigma-term is extrapolated to physical quark masses exploiting the sea quark mass dependence of the nucleon mass. We obtain the renormalized values sigma_{pi N} = 38(12) MeV at the physical point and f_{T_s}=sigma_s/m_N= 0.012(14)^{+10}_{-3} for the strangeness contribution at our larger than physical sea quark mass.

Hyperon sigma terms for 2+1 quark flavours

QCD lattice simulations determine hadron masses as functions of the quark masses. From the gradients of these masses and using the Feynman-Hellmann theorem the hadron sigma terms can then be determined. We use here a novel approach of keeping the singlet quark mass constant in our simulations which upon using an SU(3) flavour symmetry breaking expansion gives highly constrained (i.e. few parameter) fits for hadron masses in a multiplet. This is a highly advantageous procedure for determining the hadron mass gradient as it avoids the use of delicate chiral perturbation theory. We illustrate the procedure here by estimating the light and strange sigma terms for the baryon octet.

Computing for LQCD: apeNEXT

apeNEXT is the latest in the APE collaborations series of parallel computers for computationally intensive calculations such as quantum chromo dynamics on the lattice. The authors describe the computer architectural choices that have been shaped by almost two decades of collaboration activity.

QPACE: Quantum Chromodynamics Parallel Computing on the Cell Broadband Engine

Application-driven computers for lattice gauge theory simulations have often been based on system-on-chip designs, but the development costs can be prohibitive for academic project budgets. An alternative approach uses compute nodes based on a commercial processor tightly coupled to a custom-designed network processor. Preliminary analysis shows that this solution offers good performance, but it also entails several challenges, including those arising from the processors multicore structure and from implementing the network processor on a field-programmable gate array.

_{u-d} from lattice QCD at nearly physical quark masses

We determine the second Mellin moment of the isovector quark parton distribution function _{u-d} from lattice QCD with N_f=2 sea quark flavours, employing the non-perturbatively improved Wilson-Sheikholeslami-Wohlert action at a pseudoscalar mass of 157(6) MeV. The result is converted non-perturbatively to the RI-MOM scheme and then perturbatively to the MSbar scheme at a scale mu = 2 GeV. As the quark mass is reduced we find the lattice prediction to approach the value extracted from experiments.

Nucleon distribution amplitudes and proton decay matrix elements on the lattice

Baryon distribution amplitudes (DAs) are crucial for the theory of hard exclusive reactions. We present a calculation of the first few moments of the leading-twist nucleon DA within lattice QCD. In addition we deal with the normalization of the next-to-leading (twist-four) DAs. The matrix elements determining the latter quantities are also responsible for proton decay in grand unified theories. Our lattice evaluation makes use of gauge field configurations generated with two flavors of clover fermions. The relevant operators are renormalized nonperturbatively with the final results given in the MS scheme. We find that the deviation of the leading-twist nucleon DA from its asymptotic form is less pronounced than sometimes claimed in the literature.

Electroproduction of the N*(1535) resonance at large momentum transfer

We report on the first lattice calculation of light-cone distribution amplitudes of the N*(1535) resonance, which are used to calculate the transition form factors at large momentum transfers using light-cone sum rules. In the region Q2>2 GeV2, where the light-cone expansion is expected to converge, the results appear to be in good agreement with the experimental data.

Charge Symmetry Breaking in Parton Distribution Functions from Lattice QCD

By determining the quark momentum fractions of the octet baryons from N{sub f}=2+1 lattice simulations, we are able to predict the degree of charge symmetry violation in the parton distribution functions of the nucleon. This is of importance, not only as a probe of our understanding of the nonperturbative structure of the proton, but also because such a violation constrains the accuracy of global fits to parton distribution functions and hence the accuracy with which, for example, cross sections at the LHC can be predicted. A violation of charge symmetry may also be critical in cases where symmetries are used to guide the search for physics beyond the standard model.