Lattice Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) is a non-perturbative approach used to study the interactions of quarks and gluons, the fundamental constituents of matter. In this framework, space-time is discretized into a finite lattice, allowing for numerical simulations that can capture the complex dynamics of these particles. The main advantage of lattice QCD is that it provides a systematic way to calculate properties of hadrons, such as masses and decay constants, directly from the fundamental theory without relying on approximations.
The calculations involve evaluating path integrals over the lattice, which can be expressed as:
where is the partition function, represents the integration over gauge field configurations, and is the action of the system. These calculations are typically carried out using Monte Carlo methods, which allow for the exploration of the configuration space efficiently. The results from lattice QCD have provided profound insights into the structure of protons and neutrons, as well as the nature of strong interactions in the universe.
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