Chiral symmetry and lattice fermions

Abstract

Lattice gauge theory and chiral perturbation theory are among the primary tools for understanding non-perturbative aspects of QCD. I review several subtle and sometimes controversial issues that arise when combining these techniques. Among these are one failure of partially quenched chiral perturbation theory when the valence quarks become lighter than the average sea quark mass and a potential ambiguity in comparisons of perturbative and lattice properties of non-degenerate quarks.

11 pages, 5 figures. Contribution to the conference "From quarks and gluons to hadronic matter: A bridge too far?" 2-6 Sept. 2013. European Centre for Theoretical Studies in Nuclear Physics and Related Areas (ECT*), Villazzano, Trento (Italy)}