Is the 2D O(3) Nonlinear $\sigma$ Model Asymptotically Free?

Abstract

We report the results of a Monte Carlo study of the continuum limit of the two dimensional O(3) non-linear $\sigma$ model. The notable finding is that it agrees very well with both the prediction inspired by Zamolodchikovs' S-matrix ansatz and with the continuum limit of the dodecahedron spin model. The latter finding renders the existence of asymptotic freedom in the O(3) model rather unlikely.

Comments: 10 pages