One-loop renormalization of the QCD Schrödinger functional

Abstract

In a previous publication, we have constructed the Schrödinger functional in Wilson's lattice QCD. It was found that the naive continuum limit leads to a well-defined classical continuum theory. Starting from the latter, a formal continuum definition of the Schrödinger functional is given and its saddle point expansion is carried out to one-loop order of perturbation theory. Dimensional regularization and heat kernel techniques are used to determine the one-loop divergences. These are partly canceled by the usual renormalizations of the quark mass and the coupling constant in QCD. An additional divergence can be absorbed in a multiplicative renormalization of the quark boundary fields. The corresponding boundary counterterm is a local polynomial in the fields, so that we confirm a general expectation of Symanzik.