Searching for the QCD sigma resonance on GPU architecture

Abstract

In chapters 2, 3, and 4, the salient properties of continuum QCD will be outlined, as will those of path integral formalism and lattice gauge theory. In chapter 5, the numerical algorithms necessary to perform lattice calculations on a computer will be explained. In chapters 6 and 7 the lattice gauge theory techniques used to simulate the $\pi^+\pi^-\rightarrow\pi^+\pi^-$ scattering process and in chapter 8, the significance $f_0(500)$ or $\sigma$ will be given, as will the process of matching numerical results with observable physics. In chapter 9 we explain the process of software design that was required to utilise GPU architecture and in chapter 10 we present our results and give outlook for further research.