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.