DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK

We have demonstrated that the gluon propagator exhibits scaling over a wide range of momenta q. The data are consistent with a functional form D_r(q²) = D_IR + D_UV, where

 

$${\textstyle\frac{1}{2}} {\frac{1}{q^4+M^4}}$$ (14)

M = 0.81$$\;\stackrel{\scriptstyle +9}{\scriptstyle -2}\;$$ GeV, and D_UV is the asymptotic form given by (12) and (13). A more detailed analysis [8] of the asymptotic behaviour reveals that the one-loop formula (2) remains insufficient to describe data in the region q² $\sim$ 25GeV².

Issues for future study include the effect of Gribov copies and of dynamical fermions. We also hope to use improved actions to perform realistic simulations at larger lattice spacings. This would enable us to evaluate the gluon propagator on larger physical volumes, giving access to lower momentum values.