Abstract
In the conventional large-N limit the coupling constant λ is required to scale as 1/N. While the Gaussian effective potential (GEP) is known to contain the exact result in this limit, it shows a phase transition only when λ≫1/N (in units of the renormalized mass in the symmetric vacuum). Here we determine the asymptotic behaviour, asN→∞, of λ and other quantities at the phase transition of the GEP. We find λcrit to be finite in 0+1 dimensions; of order 1/lnN in 1+1 dimensions; 1/N 1/3 in 2+1 dimensions; and\(1/\sqrt N \) in 3+1 dimensions. The GEP's first-order phase transition is shown to become asymptotically second-order in 1+1 dimensions and below. We also discuss non-integer dimensions and the approach to the non-trivial “autonomous” theory in 3+1 dimensions.
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Ritschel, U., Stancu, I. & Stevenson, P.M. Unconventional large-N limit of the Gaussian effective potential and the phase transition in λφ 4 theory. Z. Phys. C - Particles and Fields 54, 627–634 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01559491
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01559491