English

Limit Cycles in Four Dimensions

High Energy Physics - Theory 2012-12-27 v2 High Energy Physics - Phenomenology

Abstract

We present an example of a limit cycle, i.e., a recurrent flow-line of the beta-function vector field, in a unitary four-dimensional gauge theory. We thus prove that beta functions of four-dimensional gauge theories do not produce gradient flows. The limit cycle is established in perturbation theory with a three-loop calculation which we describe in detail.

Cite

@article{arxiv.1206.2921,
  title  = {Limit Cycles in Four Dimensions},
  author = {Jean-François Fortin and Benjamín Grinstein and Andreas Stergiou},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1206.2921},
  year   = {2012}
}

Comments

12 pages, 1 figure. Significant revision of the interpretation of our result. Improved description of three-loop calculation

R2 v1 2026-06-21T21:18:50.438Z