Non-perturbative aspects of higher-derivative theories: first steps via lattice quantum field theory

• Grant number: 25/12755-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: September 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Elementary Particle Physics and Fields
• Principal Investigator: Gustavo Pazzini de Brito
• Grantee: Henrique Silva dos Santos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FEG). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Guaratinguetá. Guaratinguetá , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project aims to investigate non-perturbative aspects of higher derivative quantum field theories, seeking to validate the hypothesis that non-perturbative effects (analogous to confinement in quantum chromodynamics) can resolve issues of unitarity and instabilities typically present in such models. We plan to work in a simplified scalar model with shift symmetry, which present some key features of quadratic gravity models (such as asymptotic freedom) without the complexity of full gravitational theories. Methodologically, this project is based on lattice quantum field theory techniques. (AU)