The sigma meson from lattice QCD with two-pion interpolating operators

In this paper, we describe our studies of the sigma meson, [Formula: see text], using two-pion correlation functions. We use lattice quantum chromodynamics in the quenched approximation with so-called clover fermions. By working at unphysical pion masses we are able to identify a would-be resonance with mass less than [Formula: see text], and then extrapolate to the physical point. We include the most important annihilation diagram, which is “partially disconnected” or “single annihilation”. Because this diagram is quite expensive to compute, we introduce a somewhat novel technique for the computation of all-to-all diagrams, based on momentum sources and a truncation in momentum space. In practice, we use only [Formula: see text] modes, so the method reduces to wall sources. At the point where the mass of the pion takes its physical value, we find a resonance in the [Formula: see text] two-pion channel with a mass of approximately [Formula: see text] MeV, consistent with the expected properties of the sigma meson, given the approximations we are making.