Nonperturbative renormalization for the neural network-QFT correspondence
Massachusetts Institute of Technology（麻省理工学院）；NSF AI Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Fundamental Interactions（美国国家科学基金会人工智能与基础相互作用研究所）；Université Paris Saclay（巴黎萨克雷大学）；CEA（法国原子能和替代能源委员会）；LIST（法国原子能和替代能源委员会实验室集成系统与技术研究所）；Université d’Abomey-Calavi（阿波美-卡拉维大学）
Harold Erbin, Vincent Lahoche, Dine Ousmane Samary
In a recent work arXiv:2008.08601, Halverson, Maiti and Stoner proposed a description of neural networks in terms of a Wilsonian effective field theory. The infinite-width limit is mapped to a free field theory, while finite $N$ corrections are taken into account by interactions (non-Gaussian terms in the action). In this paper, we study two related aspects of this correspondence. First, we comment on the concepts of locality and power-counting in this context. Indeed, these usual space-time notions may not hold for neural networks (since inputs can be arbitrary), however, the renormalization group provides natural notions of locality and scaling. Moreover, we comment on several subtleties, for example, that data components may not have a permutation symmetry: in that case, we argue that random tensor field theories could provide a natural generalization. Second, we improve the perturbative Wilsonian renormalization from arXiv:2008.08601 by providing an analysis in terms of the nonperturbative renormalization group using the Wetterich-Morris equation. An important difference with usual nonperturbative RG analysis is that only the effective (IR) 2-point function is known, which requires setting the problem with care. Our aim is to provide a useful formalism to investigate neural networks behavior beyond the large-width limit (i.e.~far from Gaussian limit) in a nonperturbative fashion. A major result of our analysis is that changing the standard deviation of the neural network weight distribution can be interpreted as a renormalization flow in the space of networks. We focus on translations invariant kernels and provide preliminary numerical results.
The basics of RG equations for generic partition functions are briefly reviewed, keeping in mind an application to the Polyakov-de Boer-Verlindes description of the holomorphic RG flow.
Using the recently introduced parametric representation of non-commutative quantum field theory, we implement here the dimensional regularization and renormalization of the vulcanized $Φ^{\star 4}_4$ model on the Moyal space.
The structure of overlapping subdivergences, which appear in the perturbative expansions of quantum field theory, is analyzed using algebraic lattice theory. It is shown that for specific QFTs the sets of subdivergences of Feynman diagrams form algebraic lattices. This class of QFTs includes the Standard model. In kinematic renormalization schemes, in which tadpole diagrams vanish, these lattices are semimodular. This implies that the Hopf algebra of Feynman diagrams is graded by the coradical degree or equivalently that every maximal forest has the same length in the scope of BPHZ renormaliza…
This paper proposes a different interpretation on the renormalization program of an interacting Klein-Gordon field in curved space-times. Rather than being just another renormalization program we argue that it that it makes the QFT ultraviolet-finite at its foundation. More precisely, we argue that renormalization is a part of the foundation of QFT and that without it the theory is mathematically ill-defined or at the very least incompletely specified.
Field theories on deformed spaces suffer from the IR/UV mixing and renormalization is generically spoiled. In work with R. Wulkenhaar, one of us realized a way to cure this disease by adding one more marginal operator. We review these ideas, show the application to $ϕ^3$ models and use the heat kernel expansion methods for a scalar field theory coupled to an external gauge field on a $θ$-deformed space and derive noncommutative gauge field actions.
We give a noncommutative version of the complex projective space CP^2 and show that scalar QFT on this space is free of UV divergencies. The tools necessary to investigate Quantum fields on this fuzzy CP^2 are developed and possibilities to introduce spinors and Dirac operators are discussed.
The quantum evolution equations for the field expectation value are analytically solved to cubic order in the field amplitude and to one-loop level in the lambda phi-fourth model. We adapt and use the renormalization group (RG) method for such non-linear and non-local equations. The time dependence of the field expectation value is explicitly derived integrating the RG equations. It is shown that the field amplitude for late times approaches a finite limit as the time to the power -3/2. This limiting value is expressed as a function of the initial field amplitude.
Within the realm of contact potentials, the key structures intrinsic of nonperturbative renormalization of $T$-matrices are unraveled using rigorous solutions and an inverse form of algebraic Lippmann-schwinger equation. The intrinsic mismatches between effective field theory power counting and nonperturbative divergence structures are shown for the first time to preclude the conventional counterterm algorithm from working in the renormalization of EFT for $NN$ scattering in nonperturbative regimes.
Our aim is to contribute to quantum field theory (QFT) formalisms useful for descriptions of short time phenomena, dominant especially in heavy ion collisions. We formulate out-of-equilibrium QFT within the finite-time-path formalism (FTP) and renormalization theory (RT). The potential conflict of FTP and RT is investigated in $g ϕ^3$ QFT, by using the retarded/advanced ($R/A$) basis of Green functions and dimensional renormalization (DR). For example, vertices immediately after (in time) divergent self-energy loops do not conserve energy, as integrals diverge. We "repair" them, while keeping …
An introduction to the theory of the renormalization group in the context of quantum field theories of relevance to particle physics is presented in the form of 6 lectures delivered to the British Universities Summer School in Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics (BUSSTEPP). Emphasis is placed on gaining a physical understand of the running of the couplings and the Wilsonian version of the renormalization group is related to conventional perturbative calculations with dimensional regularization and minimal subtraction. An introduction is given to some of the remarkable renormalization group…
This text follows the line of a talk on Ringberg symposium dedicated to Wolfhart Zimmermann 70th birthday. The historical overview (Part 1) partially overlaps with corresponding text of my previous commemorative paper. At the same time second part includes some recent results in QFT and summarize an impressive progress of the "QFT renormalization group" application in mathematical physics.
We obtain the exact beta function for $N=2$ SUSY $SU(2)$ Yang-Mills theory and prove the nonperturbative Renormalization Group Equation $$ \partial_Λ{\cal F}(a,Λ)= {Λ\over Λ_0}\partial_{Λ_0}{\cal F}(a_0,Λ_0) e^{-2\int_{τ_0}^τ{dx β^{-1}(x)}}. $$
We investigate the influence of the momentum cutoff function on the field-dependent nonperturbative renormalization group flows for the three-dimensional Ising model, up to the second order of the derivative expansion. We show that, even when dealing with the full functional dependence of the renormalization functions, the accuracy of the critical exponents can be simply optimized, through the principle of minimal sensitivity, which yields $ν= 0.628$ and $η= 0.044$.
We present a universal form of the $T$-matrices renormalized in nonperturbative regime and the ensuing notions and properties that fail conventional wisdoms. A universal scale is identified and shown to be renormalization group invariant. The effective range parameters are derived in a nonperturbative scenario with some new predictions within the realm of contact potentials. Some controversies are shown to be due to the failure of conventional wisdoms.
We start with a simple introduction into the renormalization group (RG) in quantum field theory and give an overview of the renormalization group method. The third section is devoted to essential topics of the renorm-group use in the QFT. Here, some fresh results are included. Then we turn to the remarkable proliferation of the RG ideas into various fields of physics. The last section summarizes an impressive recent progress of the "QFT renormalization group" application in mathematical physics.
On the example of the three-dimensional Ising model, we show that nonperturbative renormalization group equations allow one to obtain very accurate critical exponents. Implementing the order $\partial^4$ of the derivative expansion leads to $ν=0.632$ and to an anomalous dimension $η=0.033$ which is significantly improved compared with lower orders calculations.
Within the covariant formulation of Light-Front Dynamics, in a scalar model with the interaction Hamiltonian $H=-gψ^{2}(x)ϕ(x)$, we calculate nonperturbatively the renormalized state vector of a scalar "nucleon" in a truncated Fock space containing the $N$, $Nπ$ and $Nππ$ sectors. The model gives a simple example of non-perturbative renormalization which is carried out numerically. Though the mass renormalization $δm^2$ diverges logarithmically with the cutoff $L$, the Fock components of the "physical" nucleon are stable when $L\to\infty$.
We analyze the dissipative quantum tunneling in the Caldeira-Leggett model by the nonperturbative renormalization-group method. We classify the dissipation effects by introducing the notion of effective cutoffs. We calculate the localization susceptibility to evaluate the critical dissipation for the quantum-classical transition. Our results are consistent with previous semiclassical arguments, but give considerably larger critical dissipation.
In this work, we study the nonperturbative renormalization of the supercurrent operator in $\mathcal{N} = 1$ Supersymmetric Yang-Mills (SYM) theory, using a gauge-invariant renormalization scheme (GIRS). The proposed prescription addresses successfully the unwanted mixing of the supercurrent with other operators of equal or lower dimension, which respect the same global symmetries. This mixing is introduced by the unavoidable breaking of supersymmetry on the lattice. In GIRS all gauge-noninvariant operators, which mix with the supercurrent, are excluded from the renormalization procedure. The …
The behaviour of a d-dimensional vectorial N=3 model at a m-axial Lifshitz critical point is investigated by means of a nonperturbative renormalization group approach that is free of the huge technical difficulties that plague the perturbative approaches and limit their computations to the lowest orders. In particular being systematically improvable, our approach allows us to control the convergence of successive approximations and thus to get reliable physical quantities in d=3.
An elementary introduction to the non-perturbative renormalization group is presented mainly in the context of statistical mechanics. No prior knowledge of field theory is necessary. The aim is this article is not to give an extensive overview of the subject but rather to insist on conceptual aspects and to explain in detail the main technical steps. It should be taken as an introduction to more advanced readings.
The Kosterlitz-Thouless phase transition is described by the nonperturbative renormalization flow of the two dimensional $ϕ^4$-model. The observation of essential scaling demonstrates that the flow equation incorporates nonperturbative effects which have previously found an alternative description in terms of vortices. The duality between the linear and nonlinear $σ$-model gives a unified description of the long distance behaviour for O(N)-models in arbitrary dimension $d$. We compute critical exponents in first order in the derivative expansion.
Continuous tensor networks are variational wavefunctions proposed in recent years to efficiently simulate quantum field theories (QFTs). Prominent examples include the continuous matrix product state (cMPS) and the continuous multi-scale entanglement renormalization ansatz (cMERA). While the cMPS can approximate ground states of a class of QFT Hamiltonians that are both local and interacting, cMERA is only well-understood for QFTs that are quasi-local and non-interacting. In this paper we propose the magic cMERA, a concrete realization of cMERA for a free boson QFT that simultaneously satisfie…
We study the appearance of anomalies of the Master Ward Identity, which is a universal renormalization condition in perturbative QFT. The main insight of the present paper is that any violation of the Master Ward Identity can be expressed as a LOCAL interacting field; this is a version of the well-known Quantum Action Principle of Lowenstein and Lam. Proceeding in a proper field formalism by induction on the order in $\hbar$, this knowledge about the structure of possible anomalies as well as techniques of algebraic renormalization are used to remove possible anomalies by finite renormalizatio…
We present several approaches to renormalization in QFT: the multi-scale analysis in perturbative renormalization, the functional methods à la Wetterich equation, and the loop-vertex expansion in non-perturbative renormalization. While each of these is quite well-established, they go beyond standard QFT textbook material, and may be little-known to specialists of each other approach. This review is aimed at bridging this gap.
As a unified theory of integer and fractional quantum Hall plateau transitions, a nonperturbative theory of the two-parameter scaling renormalization group function is presented. By imposing global symmetries known as ``the law of corresponding states'', we seek a possible form of renormalization group flows. Asking for consistency with the result from weak-localization perturbation theory, such restriction is so intense that we can analytically determine its concrete form. Accordingly, the critical exponent $ν$ and the irrelevant scaling index $y$ are obtained analytically and turn out to be …
We investigate the massive Schwinger model in $d=1+1$ dimensions using bosonization and the nonperturbative functional renormalization group. In agreement with previous studies we find that the phase transition, driven by a change of the ratio $m/e$ between the mass and the charge of the fermions, belongs to the two-dimensional Ising universality class. The temperature and vacuum angle dependence of various physical quantities (chiral density, electric field, entropy density) are also determined and agree with results obtained from density matrix renormalization group studies. Screening of fra…
Using the nonperturbative renormalization group, we study the existence of bound states in the symmetry-broken phase of the scalar $ϕ^4$ theory in all dimensions between two and four and as a function of the temperature. The accurate description of the momentum dependence of the two-point function, required to get the spectrum of the theory, is provided by means of the Blaizot--Méndez-Galain--Wschebor approximation scheme. We confirm the existence of a bound state in dimension three, with a mass within 1% of previous Monte-Carlo and numerical diagonalization values.
Using the nonperturbative functional renormalization group (FRG) within the Blaizot-Méndez-Galain-Wschebor approximation, we compute the operator product expansion (OPE) coefficient $c_{112}$ associated with the operators $\mathcal{O}_1\simφ$ and $\mathcal{O}_2\simφ^2$ in the three-dimensional $\mathrm{O}(N)$ universality class and in the Ising universality class ($N=1$) in dimensions $2 \leq d \leq 4$. When available, exact results and estimates from the conformal bootstrap and Monte-Carlo simulations compare extremely well to our results, while FRG is able to provide values across the whole …
In holographic duality, dynamics along the emergent extra-dimensional space describes a renormalization group (RG) flow of the corresponding quantum field theory (QFT). Following this idea, we develop an emergent holographic description of a QFT, where not only the information of the RG flow is introduced into an IR holographic dual effective field theory (HDEFT), but also the UV information of the QFT is encoded in the HDEFT through the IR boundary condition. In particular, we argue that this dual holographic construction is self-consistent within the assumption of bulk locality, showing the …
We derive the necessary conditions for implementing a regulator that depends on both momentum and frequency in the nonperturbative renormalization group flow equations of out-of-equilibrium statistical systems. We consider model A as a benchmark and compute its dynamical critical exponent $z$. This allows us to show that frequency regulators compatible with causality and the fluctuation-dissipation theorem can be devised. We show that when the Principle of Minimal Sensitivity (PMS) is employed to optimize the critical exponents $η$, $ν$ and $z$, the use of frequency regulators becomes necessar…
We study the optimization of nonperturbative renormalization group equations truncated both in fields and derivatives. On the example of the Ising model in three dimensions, we show that the Principle of Minimal Sensitivity can be unambiguously implemented at order $\partial^2$ of the derivative expansion. This approach allows us to select optimized cut-off functions and to improve the accuracy of the critical exponents $ν$ and $η$. The convergence of the field expansion is also analyzed. We show in particular that its optimization does not coincide with optimization of the accuracy of the cri…
We study the quantum sine-Gordon model within a nonperturbative functional renormalization-group approach (FRG). This approach is benchmarked by comparing our findings for the soliton and lightest breather (soliton-antisoliton bound state) masses to exact results. We then examine the validity of the Lukyanov-Zamolodchikov conjecture for the expectation value $\langle e^{\frac{i}{2}nβφ}\rangle$ of the exponential fields in the massive phase ($n$ is integer and $2π/β$ denotes the periodicity of the potential in the sine-Gordon model). We find that the minimum of the relative and absolute disagre…
Field-theoretical calculations performed in an approximation scheme often present a spurious dependence of physical quantities on some unphysical parameters associated with the details of the calculation setup (such as, the renormalization scheme or, in perturbation theory, the resummation procedure). In the present article, we propose to reduce this dependence by invoking conformal invariance. Using as a benchmark the three-dimensional Ising model, we show that, within the derivative expansion at order 4, performed in the nonperturbative renormalization group formalism, the identity associate…
Ever since the appearance of renormalization theory there have been several differently motivated attempts at non-localized (in the sense of not generated by point-like fields) relativistic particle theories, the most recent one being at QFT on non-commutative Minkowski spacetime. The often conceptually uncritical and historically forgetful contemporary approach to these problems calls for a critical review the light of previous results on this subject.
Pionful nuclear effective field theory (NEFT) in the two-nucleon sector is examined from the Wilsonian renormalization group point of view. The pion exchange is cut off at the floating cutoff scale, $Λ$, with the short-distance part being represented as contact interactions in accordance with the general principle of renormalization. We derive the nonperturbative renormalization group equations in the leading order of the nonrelativistic approximation in the operator space including up to $\mathcal{O}(p^2)$ and find the nontrivial fixed points in the $^1S_0$ and $^3S_1$--$^3D_1$ channels which…
On the link between finite QFT and standard RG approaches
Institute for Nuclear Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences（俄罗斯科学院核物理研究所）；Institute for Theoretical and Mathematical Physics, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University（莫斯科国立大学理论与数学物理研究所）；Department of Particle Physics and Cosmology, Physics Faculty, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University（莫斯科国立大学物理学院粒子物理与宇宙学系）；Bogoliubov Laboratory of Theoretical Physics, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research（杜布纳联合核研究所鲍戈留博夫理论物理实验室）
We propose a continuous real space renormalization group transformation based on gradient flow, allowing for a numerical study of renormalization without the need for costly ensemble matching. We apply our technique in a pilot study of SU$(3)$ gauge theory with $N_f = 12$ fermions in the fundamental representation, finding the mass anomalous dimension to be $γ_m = 0.23(6)$, consistent with other perturbative and lattice estimates. We also present the first lattice calculation of the nucleon anomalous dimension in this theory, finding $γ_N = 0.05(5)$.
The lattice Sommerfield model, describing a massive vector gauge field coupled to a light fermion in 2d, is an ideal candidate to verify perturbative conclusions. In contrast with continuum exact solutions, we prove that there is no infinite field renormalization, implying the reduction of the degree of the ultraviolet divergence, and that anomalies are non renormalized. Such features are the counterpart of analogue properties at the basis of the Standard model perturbative renormalizability. The results are non-perturbative, in the sense that the averages of gauge invariant observables are ex…
Anomalous quark triangles with one axial and two vector currents are studied in special kinematics when one of the vector currents carries a soft momentum. According to the Adler-Bardeen theorem the anomalous longitudinal part of the triangle is not renormalized in the chiral limit. We derive a new nonrenormalization theorem for the transversal part of the triangle. This nonrenormalization, in difference with the longitudinal part, holds on only perturbatively. At the nonperturbative level we use the operator product expansion and the pion dominance in the longitudinal part to determine the ma…
We consider a functional relation between a given Wilsonian RG flow, which has to be related to a specific coarse-graining procedure, and an infinite family of (UV cutoff) scale dependent field redefinitions. Within this framework one can define a family of Wilsonian proper-time exact RG equations associated to an arbitrary regulator function. New applications of these RG flow schemes to the Ising Universality class in three dimensions in the derivative expansion are shortly illustrated.
The three-dimensional real scalar model, in which the $Z_2$ symmetry spontaneously breaks, is renormalized in a nonperturbative manner based on the Tamm-Dancoff truncation of the Fock space. A critical line is calculated by diagonalizing the Hamiltonian regularized with basis functions. The marginal ($ϕ^6$) coupling dependence of the critical line is weak. In the broken phase the canonical Hamiltonian is tachyonic, so the field is shifted as $ϕ(x)\toφ(x)+v$. The shifted value $v$ is determined as a function of running mass and coupling so that the mass of the ground state vanishes.
The recently proposed constructive approach to nonperturbative QFT, based on modular localization, is reviewed and extended. It allows to unify black holes physics and H-temperatures (H standing for Hawking or Horizon) with the bootstrap-formfactor program for nonperturbative construction of low dimensional QFT. In case of on-shell particle number conservation, the equations characterizing the modular localization spaces for wedges are Bethe-Ansatz equation in the form as recently obtained in the treatment of factorizable models.
We investigate scalar field theories in de Sitter space by means of nonperturbative renormalization group techniques. We compute the functional flow equation for the effective potential of O(N) theories in the local potential approximation and we study the onset of curvature-induced effects as quantum fluctuations are progressively integrated out from subhorizon to superhorizon scales. This results in a dimensional reduction of the original action to an effective zero-dimensional Euclidean theory. We show that the latter is equivalent both to the late-time equilibrium state of the stochastic a…
We obtain analytic, nonperturbative, approximate solutions of Yukawa theory in the one-fermion sector using light-front quantization. The theory is regulated in the ultraviolet by the introduction of heavy Pauli-Villars scalar and fermion fields, each with negative norm. In order to obtain a directly soluble problem, fermion-pair creation and annihilation are neglected, and the number of bosonic constituents is limited to one of either type. We discuss some of the features of the wave function of the eigensolution, including its endpoint behavior and spin and orbital angular momentum content. …
Non-perturbative renormalizability, or non-triviality, of the gauged Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (NJL) model in four dimensions is examined by using non-perturbative (exact) renormalization group in large $N_c$ limit. When running of the gauge coupling is asymptotically free and slow enough, the two dimensional renormalized trajectory (subspace) spanned by the four fermi coupling and the gauge coupling is found to exist, which implies renormalizability of the gauged NJL model. In the case of fixed gauge coupling, renormalizability of the model turns out to be guaranteed by the line of the UV fixed poin…
The renormalization group plays an essential role in many areas of physics, both conceptually and as a practical tool to determine the long-distance low-energy properties of many systems on the one hand and on the other hand search for viable ultraviolet completions in fundamental physics. It provides us with a natural framework to study theoretical models where degrees of freedom are correlated over long distances and that may exhibit very distinct behavior on different energy scales. The nonperturbative functional renormalization-group (FRG) approach is a modern implementation of Wilson's RG…
We study the $O(2)$ model with $\mathbb{Z}_4$-symmetric perturbations within the framework of nonperturbative renormalization group (RG) for spatial dimensionality $d=2$ and $d=3$. In a unified framework we resolve the relatively complex crossover behavior emergent due to the presence of multiple RG fixed points. In $d=3$ the system is controlled by the $XY$, Ising, and low-$T$ fixed points in presence of a dangerously irrelevant anisotropy coupling $λ$. In $d=2$ the anisotropy coupling is marginal and the physical picture is governed by the interplay between two distinct lines of RG fixed poi…
The renormalization of EFT for nucleon-nucleon scattering in nonperturbative regimes is investigated in a compact parametrization of the $T$-matrix. The key difference between perturbative and nonperturbative renormalization is clarified. The underlying theory perspective and the 'fixing' of the prescriptions for the $T$-matrix from physical boundary conditions are stressed.
We present a method of short-distance analysis in quantum field theory that does not require choosing a renormalization prescription a priori. We set out from a local net of algebras with associated pointlike quantum fields. The net has a naturally defined scaling limit in the sense of Buchholz and Verch; we investigate the effect of this limit on the pointlike fields. Both for the fields and their operator product expansions, a well-defined limit procedure can be established. This can always be interpreted in the usual sense of multiplicative renormalization, where the renormalization factors…
In general, quantum field theories (QFT) require regularizations and infinite renormalizations due to ultraviolet divergences in their loop calculations. Furthermore, perturbation series in theories like QED are not convergent series, but are asymptotic series. We apply neutrix calculus, developed in connection with asymptotic series and divergent integrals, to QFT,obtaining finite renormalizations. While none of the physically measurable results in renormalizable QFT is changed, quantum gravity is rendered more manageable in the neutrix framework.
We present an approximation scheme of the nonperturbative renormalization group that preserves the momentum dependence of correlation functions. This approximation scheme can be seen as a simple improvement of the local potential approximation (LPA) where the derivative terms in the effective action are promoted to arbitrary momentum-dependent functions. As in the LPA the only field dependence comes from the effective potential, which allows us to solve the renormalization-group equations at a relatively modest numerical cost (as compared, e.g., to the Blaizot--Mendéz-Galain--Wschebor approxim…
We reexamine the two-dimensional linear O(2) model ($φ^4$ theory) in the framework of the nonperturbative renormalization-group. From the flow equations obtained in the derivative expansion to second order and with optimization of the infrared regulator, we find a transition between a high-temperature (disordered) phase and a low-temperature phase displaying a line of fixed points and algebraic order. We obtain a picture in agreement with the standard theory of the Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT) transition and reproduce the universal features of the transition. In particular, we find the anomalous d…
