Evidence for a conformal phase in SU(N) gauge theories

We discuss the existence of a conformal phase in SU(N) gauge theories in four dimensions. In this lattice study, we explore the model in the bare parameter space, varying the lattice coupling and bare mass. Simulations are carried out with three colors and 12 flavors of dynamical staggered fermions in the fundamental representation. The analysis of the chiral order parameter and the mass spectrum of the theory indicates the restoration of chiral symmetry at zero temperature and the presence of a Coulomb-like phase, depicting a scenario compatible with the existence of an infrared stable fixed point at nonzero coupling. Our analysis supports the conclusion that the onset of the conformal window for QCD-like theories is smaller than N-f = 12, before the loss of asymptotic freedom at 16 and 1/ 2 flavors. We discuss open questions and future directions.