Abstract
We calculate the mass spectra and string tensions of SU(2), SU(3), SU(4) and SU(5) gauge theories in 2+1 dimensions. We do so by simulating the corresponding lattice theories and then extrapolating dimensionless mass ratios to the continuum limit. We find that such mass ratios are, to a first approximation, independent of the number of colors, and that the remaining dependence can be accurately reproduced by a simple correction. This provides us with a prediction of these mass ratios for all theories in 2+1 dimensions and demonstrates that these theories are already “close” to for We find that the theory retains a non-zero confining string tension as and that the dimensionful coupling is proportional to at large when expressed in units of the dynamical length scale of the theory. During the course of these calculations we study in detail the effects of including over-relaxation in the Monte Carlo calculation, of using a mean-field improved coupling to extrapolate to the continuum limit, and the use of space-time asymmetric lattice actions to resolve heavy glueball correlators.
- Received 8 April 1998
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.59.014512
©1998 American Physical Society