Closer look at the matching condition for radiative QCD θ parameter

Abstract

Abstract In this paper, we scrutinize a radiatively generated QCD θ parameter at the two-loop level based on both full analytical loop functions with the Fock-Schwinger gauge method and the effective field theory approach, using simplified models. We observe that the radiatively generated θ parameters at the low energy scale precisely match between them. It provides validity to perturbative loop calculations of the QCD θ parameter with the Fock-Schwinger gauge method. Furthermore, it is also shown that the ordinary Fujikawa method for the radiative θ parameter by using $$ \overline{\theta} $$ θ ¯ = −arg det $$ {\mathcal{M}}_q^{\textrm{loop}} $$ M q loop does not cover all contributions in the simplified models. But, we also find that when there is a scale hierarchy in CP-violating sector, evaluation of the Fujikawa method is numerically sufficient. As an application, we calculate the radiative θ parameter at the two-loop level in a slightly extended Nelson-Barr model, where the spontaneous CP violation occurs to solve the strong CP problem. It is found a part of the radiative θ parameters cannot be described by the Fujikawa method.