Towards the QED beta function and renormalons at $1/N_f^2$ and $1/N_f^3$

Abstract

We determine the $1/N_f^2$ and $1/N_f^3$ contributions to the QED beta function stemming from the closed set of nested diagrams. At order $1/N_f^2$ we discover a new logarithmic branch-cut closer to the origin when compared to the $1/N_f$ results. The same singularity location appears at $1/N_f^3$, and these correspond to a UV renormalon singularity in the finite part of the photon two-point function.

15 pages, 11 figures; v2: journal published version