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Neil, Ethan T.

Publications and source records attributed to Neil, Ethan T..

Towards determination of the strong coupling $Ξ±_s(m_Z)$ from four-flavor lattice QCD using the continuous $Ξ²$-function method

The precise value of the strong coupling $Ξ±_s(m_{Z})$ at the $Z$-boson mass $m_{Z}$ is essential for high-energy phenomenology and precision tests of quantum chromodynamics (QCD). We present the status of a program targeting a $\sim 0.3\%$ determination of $Ξ±_s(m_{Z})$ using the renormalization group $Ξ²$-function in the infinite volume gradient flow scheme based on lattice QCD simulations of degenerate four-flavor highly improved staggered quark (HISQ) ensembles. In particular, we analyze both tree-level cutoff effects and finite-mass effects. We also outline the next steps of the analysis, including the infinite-volume and continuum extrapolations required for a precise determination of $Ξ±_s(m_Z)$.

Mandlecha, Yash (ORCID:000000020587962X)β†—

Lepton-flavor-violating ALP signals with TeV-scale muon beams

We explore the feasibility of using TeV-energy muons to probe lepton-flavor-violating (LFV) processes mediated by an axion-like particle (ALP) a with mass O(10 GeV). We focus on ¡τ LFV interactions and assume that the ALP is coupled to a dark state Ο‡, which can be either less or more massive than a. Such a setup is demonstrated to be consistent with Ο‡ being a candidate for dark matter, in the experimentally relevant regime of parameters. We consider the currently operating NA64-Β΅ experiment and proposed FASERΞ½2 detector as both the target and the detector for the process Β΅A β†’ Ο„A a, where A is the target nucleus. We also show that a possible future active muon fixed-target experiment operating at a 3 TeV muon collider or in its preparatory phase can provide an impressive reach for the LFV process considered, with future FASERΞ½2 data providing a pilot study towards that goal. The implications of the muon anomalous magnetic moment (g - 2) Β΅ measurements for the underlying model, in case of a positive signal, are also examined, and a sample UV completion is outlined.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Improved information criteria for Bayesian model averaging in lattice field theory

Bayesian model averaging is a practical method for dealing with uncertainty due to model specification. Use of this technique requires the estimation of model probability weights. Here, we revisit the derivation of estimators for these model weights. Use of the Kullback-Leibler divergence as a starting point leads naturally to a number of alternative information criteria suitable for Bayesian model weight estimation. We explore three such criteria, known to the statistics literature before, in detail: a Bayesian analog of the Akaike information criterion which we call the BAIC, the Bayesian predictive information criterion, and the posterior predictive information criterion (PPIC). We compare the use of these information criteria in numerical analysis problems common in lattice field theory calculations. We find that the PPIC has the most appealing theoretical properties and can give the best performance in terms of model-averaging uncertainty, particularly in the presence of noisy data, while the BAIC is a simple and reliable alternative.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Model averaging approaches to data subset selection

Model averaging is a useful and robust method for dealing with model uncertainty in statistical analysis. Often, it is useful to consider data subset selection at the same time, in which model selection criteria are used to compare models across different subsets of the data. Two different criteria have been proposed in the literature for how the data subsets should be weighted. We compare the two criteria closely in a unified treatment based on the Kullback-Leibler divergence and conclude that one of them is subtly flawed and will tend to yield larger uncertainties due to loss of information. Here, analytical and numerical examples are provided.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Infrared fixed point of the SU(3) gauge theory with 𝑁 𝑓 = 10 flavors

We use lattice simulations and the continuous renormalization group method, based on the gradient flow, to calculate the 𝛽 function and anomalous dimensions of the SU(3) gauge theory with 𝑁 𝑓 = 10 flavors of fermions in the fundamental representation. We employ several improvements to extend the range of available renormalized couplings, including the addition of heavy Pauli-Villars bosons to reduce cutoff effects and the combination of a range of gradient flow transformations. While in the weak coupling regime our result is consistent with those of earlier studies, our techniques allow us to study the system at much stronger couplings than previously possible. We find that the renormalization group 𝛽 function develops a zero, corresponding to an infrared-stable fixed point, at gradient-flow coupling 𝑔 2 = 15.0⁒(5). We also determine the mass and tensor anomalous dimensions: At the fixed point we find 𝛾 π‘š ≃0.6, suggesting that this system might be deep inside the conformal window.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗