The clash of positivities in topological density correlators

Abstract

We discuss the apparent conflict between reflection positivity and positivity of the topological susceptibility in two-dimensional nonlinear sigma models and in four-dimensional gauge theories. We pay special attention to the fact that this apparent conflict is already present on the lattice; its resolution puts some nontrivial restrictions on the short-distance behavior of the lattice correlator. It is found that these restrictions can be satisfied both in the case of asymptotic freedom and the dissident scenario of a critical point at finite coupling.