Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
ZENODOarrow_drop_down
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
versions View all 2 versions
addClaim

The Mass Gap of Four-Dimensional Yang–Mills Theory via Volume-Uniform Functional Inequalities

Authors: Kirk, Harold D.;

The Mass Gap of Four-Dimensional Yang–Mills Theory via Volume-Uniform Functional Inequalities

Abstract

This paper presents a construction of four-dimensional Euclidean Yang–Mills theory with a strictly positive mass gap for any compact simple gauge group G, addressing the Clay Mathematics Institute Millennium Problem. The argument identifies a volume-uniform Poincaré inequality for the lattice Yang–Mills Gibbs measure as the key mechanism linking multi-scale renormalization group control to exponential clustering and the emergence of a mass gap in the continuum limit. Starting from lattice Yang–Mills theory with Wilson action at sufficiently weak coupling, the analysis combines axial gauge reduction, finite-range propagator decomposition, and scale-by-scale spectral estimates driven by asymptotic freedom. The resulting functional inequality yields Dobrushin–Shlosman complete analyticity and enables the construction of a continuum quantum field theory satisfying the Osterwalder–Schrader axioms with a strictly positive mass gap. Nontriviality of the continuum limit is demonstrated through a susceptibility-growth mechanism. Tracking a gauge-invariant observable across renormalization scales yields an exponential susceptibility bound χ(β) ≥ c e²ᶜ⁰ᵝ, preventing the physical mass from diverging in the continuum limit. Non-Gaussianity follows from the non-abelian Schwinger–Dyson identity at the effective scale, where the running coupling becomes order one and generates a non-zero truncated four-point function. The construction applies uniformly to all compact simple Lie groups, including SU(N), SO(N), Sp(N), G₂, F₄, E₆, E₇, and E₈. A technical supplement provides proofs of the renormalization-group step, the Martinelli finite-volume bootstrapping argument establishing the volume-uniform Poincaré inequality, and the continuum reconstruction. This manuscript is in preparation for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.

Keywords

non-abelian gauge theory, Poincaré inequality, spectral gap, Yang–Mills theory, lattice gauge theory, renormalization group, mass gap, Clay Millennium Problem, Osterwalder–Schrader axioms, constructive quantum field theory

  • BIP!
    Impact byBIP!
    selected citations
    These citations are derived from selected sources.
    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    0
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    Average
    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Upload OA version
Are you the author of this publication? Upload your Open Access version to Zenodo!
It’s fast and easy, just two clicks!