IR fixed points in lattice field theories

Abstract

The existence of strongly-interacting infrared (IR) fixed points in gauge theories can be studied using field theories defined on a lattice. Besides their academic interest, it has been argued that these theories could be used as a starting point to construct viable models of electroweak symmetry breaking (EWSB). A quantitative description of the large-distance dynamics is mandatory in order to develop predictive models for phenomenology. In these notes, we discuss the theoretical foundations of IR conformality, and present possible ways to study the problem using the lattice formulation of gauge theories. An overview of current results and methods is discussed.