Theoretical issues with staggered fermion simulations

Abstract

The legality of the "rooting trick" in dynamical staggered fermion simulations is discussed, i.e. whether the theory with the Boltzmann weight ${\det }^{1/4}(D_{\mathrm{st}})$ yields the right continuum limit. Since the problem is unsolved, pieces of evidence in favor and against are collected and examined.

22 pages, 15 figures, Lattice 2005