Step scaling with gradient flow and finite temperature

Abstract

We combine gradient flow, step-scaling, and finite-temperature boundary conditions to scale-set 2+1+1 flavor QCD lattices with physical HISQ quarks at multiple spacings down to a=0.01378 fm, such that they represent the same temperature at the percent level and the same quark mass to a few percent. This preparatory work will allow the evaluation and continuum extrapolation of the topological susceptibility at up to 1 GeV temperatures with good control over quark-mass effects.