Exploration of SU(N_c) gauge theory with many Wilson fermions at strong coupling

Abstract

We explore aspects of the phase structure of SU(2) and SU(3) lattice gauge theories at strong coupling with many flavours $N_f$ of Wilson fermions in the fundamental representation. The pseudoscalar meson mass as a function of hopping parameter is observed to deviate from the expected analytic dependence, at least for sufficiently large $N_f$. Implications of this effect are discussed, including the relevance to recent searches for an infrared fixed point.

15 pages, 11 figures