Symmetric Mass Generation in Lattice Gauge Theory

Abstract

We construct a four-dimensional lattice gauge theory in which fermions acquire mass without breaking symmetries as a result of gauge interactions. Our model consists of reduced staggered fermions transforming in the bifundamental representation of an SU(2)×SU(2) gauge symmetry. This fermion representation ensures that single-site bilinear mass terms vanish identically. A symmetric four-fermion operator is however allowed, and we give numerical results that show that a condensate of this operator develops in the vacuum.

Keywords

• lattice gauge theory
• symmetric mass generation
• four-fermion condensate