The phase diagram of the three dimensional Thirring model

We present Monte Carlo simulation results for the three dimensional Thirrin g model on moderate sized lattices using a hybrid molecular dynamics algori thm which permits an odd or non-integer number N-f of fermion flavors. We f ind a continuous chiral symmetry breaking transition for N-f similar or equ al to 3 with critical exponents consistent with expectations from previous studies, For N-f = 5 the order of the transition is difficult to determine on the lattice sizes explored. We present a phase diagram for the model in the (1/g(2),N-f) plane and contrast our findings with expectations based on approximate solutions of the continuum Schwinger-Dyson equations. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.