Abstract:
Quantum fluctuations lead to an anomalous violation of parity symmetry in quantum electrodynamics for an even number of spatial dimensions. While the leading parity-odd electric current vanishes in vacuum, we uncover a non-cancellation of the anomaly for strong electric fields with distinct macroscopic signatures. We perform real-time lattice simulations with fully dynamical gauge fields and Wilson fermions in space-time dimensions. In the static field limit, relevant at early times, we solve the problem analytically. Our results point out the fundamental role of quantum anomalies for strong-field phenomena, relevant for a wide range of condensed matter and high-energy applications, but also for the next generation of gauge theory quantum simulators.
R. Ott, T. V. Zache, N. Müller, and J. Berges, “Non-cancellation of the parity anomaly in the strong-field regime of QED2+1”, Phys. Lett. B 805, 135459 (2020).
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037026932030263X?via%3Dihub
Related to Project: A01, B03, B02