Variational computation of glueball masses in continuum QCD

• Published in: Nuclear physics. B Vol. 271; no. 3-4; pp. 379 - 401
• Main Authors: Greensite, J., Halpern, M.B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 1986
• ISSN: 0550-3213; 1873-1562
• DOI: 10.1016/S0550-3213(86)80016-5

We apply a field-theoretic Rayleigh-Ritz method to compute masses of the low-lying glueballs, with allowance for non-perturbative effects via condensate contributions to the gluon propagator. Since the gluon propagator is non-covariant, condensates of the form 〈Tr AA〉 are allowed and must be introduced. Fitting the coupling constant and condensate parameter from the glueball candidates ι(1440) and ι(1690), we predict that mass (0++) = 1320 ± 20 MeV, mass (2-+) = 1760 ± 40 MeV, at αs = 0.46 ± 0.05 (with an error estimated by using a variety of trial wavepackets). Our result has the 0++ glueball mass close to that of the isoscalar 0++ states ɛ(1300) and gs(1240), suggesting that at least one of these states (presumably the gs(1240)) has a large-valence glue component.