On magnetic catalysis in even-flavor QED3

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss the role of an external magnetic field on the dynamically generated fermion mass in even-flavor QED in three space-time dimensions. Based on some reasonable approximations, we present analytic arguments on the fact that, for weak fields, the magnetically-induced mass increases quadratically with increasing field, while at strong fields one crosses over to a mass scaling logarithmically with the external field. We also confirm this type of scaling behavior through quenched lattice calculations using the non-compact version for the gauge field. Both the zero and finite temperature cases are examined. A preliminary study of the fermion condensate in the presence of magnetic flux tubes on the lattice is also included.

38 pages latex, 18 figures and a style file (axodraw) incorporated (some clarifying remarks concerning the validity of the approximations made and some references were added correcting an earlier version; no effect on conclusions; version to appear in Phys. Rev. D.)