Infinite Volume and Continuum Limits of the Landau-Gauge Gluon Propagator

Abstract

We extend a previous improved action study of the Landau gauge gluon propagator, by using a variety of lattices with spacings from $a=0.17$ to 0.41 fm, to more fully explore finite volume and discretization effects. We also extend a previously used technique for minimizing lattice artifacts, the appropriate choice of momentum variable or ``kinematic correction'', by considering it more generally as a ``tree-level correction''. We demonstrate that by using tree-level correction, determined by the tree-level behavior of the action being considered, it is possible to obtain scaling behavior over a very wide range of momenta and lattice spacings. This makes it possible to explore the infinite volume and continuum limits of the Landau-gauge gluon propagator.

Comments: 24 pages RevTex, 18 figures; Responses to referee comments, minor changes