Eight very excited flux tube spectra and possible axions in SU(3) lattice gauge theory

We compute the spectra of flux tubes formed between a static quark-antiquark pair up to a significant number of excitations and for eight symmetries of the flux tubes, up to Au, using pure SU(3) gauge lattice QCD in 3 + 1 dimensions. To accomplish this goal, we use a large set of appropriate operators, an anisotropic tadpole improved action, smearing techniques, and solve a generalized eigenvalue problem. Moreover, we compare our results with the Nambu-Goto string model to evaluate possible tensions which could be a signal for novel phenomena. Especially, we provide evidence for the coupling of a massive particle, say, an axion, to the E-g, E-u, and E-*u flux tube with approximate masses 2.25ffiffi p , 1.85ffiffi & sigma;p, and & sigma; 3.30 ffiffi p , respectively. & sigma;

Automated summary

We compute the spectra of flux tubes between a static quark-antiquark pair in SU(3) gauge lattice QCD and compare the results with the Nambu-Goto string model. Evidence for the coupling of a massive particle to specific flux tubes is provided. The study yields important insights into possible novel phenomena in particle physics.