Kenneth Wilson and Lattice QCD

We discuss the physics and computation of lattice QCD, a space-time lattice formulation of quantum chromodynamics, and Kenneth Wilson’s seminal role in its development. We start with the fundamental issue of confinement of quarks in the theory of the strong interactions, and discuss how lattice QCD...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of statistical physics Vol. 160; no. 5; pp. 1081 - 1124
Main Author: Ukawa, Akira
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: New York Springer US 01.09.2015
Springer
Subjects:
Mathematical and Computational Physics
Multiprocessing
Physical Chemistry
Physics
Physics and Astronomy
Quantum Physics
Statistical Physics and Dynamical Systems
Theoretical
Lattice QCD
Standard model
Parallel supercomputers
High performance computing
Strong interactions
ISSN:0022-4715, 1572-9613
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:We discuss the physics and computation of lattice QCD, a space-time lattice formulation of quantum chromodynamics, and Kenneth Wilson’s seminal role in its development. We start with the fundamental issue of confinement of quarks in the theory of the strong interactions, and discuss how lattice QCD provides a framework for understanding this phenomenon. A conceptual issue with lattice QCD is a conflict of space-time lattice with chiral symmetry of quarks. We discuss how this problem is resolved. Since lattice QCD is a non-linear quantum dynamical system with infinite degrees of freedom, quantities which are analytically calculable are limited. On the other hand, it provides an ideal case of massively parallel numerical computations. We review the long and distinguished history of parallel-architecture supercomputers designed and built for lattice QCD. We discuss algorithmic developments, in particular the difficulties posed by the fermionic nature of quarks, and their resolution. The triad of efforts toward better understanding of physics, better algorithms, and more powerful supercomputers have produced major breakthroughs in our understanding of the strong interactions. We review the salient results of this effort in understanding the hadron spectrum, the Cabibbo–Kobayashi–Maskawa matrix elements and CP violation, and quark-gluon plasma at high temperatures. We conclude with a brief summary and a future perspective.
ISSN:0022-4715
1572-9613
DOI:10.1007/s10955-015-1197-x