Simple ansatz for the lattice fermion determinant

Abstract

An ansatz for the fermion vacuum functional on a lattice is proposed. It is proved to reproduce correct continuum limit for convergent diagrams of any finite order in smooth external fields, as well as consistent chiral anomalies, and ensures gauge invariance of the absolute value of the functional at any lattice spacing. The ansatz corresponds to a certain non-local fermion action having global chiral invariance. Problems caused by non-smooth gauge fields are discussed.

10 pages, latex, 2 postscript figures; major improvements, in particular, the fermion action generating the ansatz is presented; to be published in Phys. Lett. B