Testing scalar field self-dualities in d = 2 using a variational method
Abstract
Recently, self-dualities based on saddle-point expansions have been proposed as a means to obtain qualitative nonperturbative information in scalar field theories. In this work, we test this proposition quantitatively by studying the phase transition for critical scalar ϕ 4 field theory in 1 + 1 dimensions using a variational method. We find that saddle-point methods obtain quantitative agreement for the free energy, but differ on the order of 25% for the peak location of the correlation length.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Black Holes and Theoretical Physics
Physics of Superconductivity and Magnetism
Cosmology and Gravitation Theories
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Physical review. D/Physical review. D.
- Publisher
- American Physical Society (APS)
- Volume
- 114
- Issue
- 1
- Publication date
- 17 June 2026
- Language
- EN