Quantum distillation in QCD
Abstract
We propose a grading protocol that assigns global symmetry associated phases to states in the Hilbert space. Without modifying the Hilbert space, this changes the state sum, a process that we call quantum distillation. We describe the image of quantum distillation in terms of (nondynamical) flavor holonomy dependence of (dynamical) gauge-holonomy potentials, in QCD with Nf=Nc fundamental and one massive adjoint fermion on R3×S1. The compactified theory possesses an exact zero-form color-flavor center symmetry for a special choice of flavor holonomy (under which Polyakov loop is charged), despite the absence of one-form center symmetry. We prove that the color-flavor center symmetry is stable at small β . This is the opposite of the high-temperature limit of thermal theory and a dramatic manifestation of quantum distillation. We show chiral symmetry breaking at small S1 and that the vacuum structure of the theory on R4 and R3×S1 are controlled by the same mixed 't Hooft anomaly condition.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review D
- Pub Date:
- August 2020
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevD.102.034013
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1909.05222
- Bibcode:
- 2020PhRvD.102c4013K
- Keywords:
-
- High Energy Physics - Theory
- E-Print:
- 7 pages