Non-Compact QED 3 with N f = 1 and N f = 4

We present numerical results for non-compact three-dimensional QED for numbers of flavors Nf = 1 and Nf = 4. In particular, we address the issue of whether chiral symmetry is spontaneously broken in the continuum limit, and obtain a positive answer for Nf = 1, with a dimensionless condensate estimated to be β 2 h ¯ ψψi ≃ O(10 −3 ), implying that the critical number of flavors Nfc > 1. We also compare the Nf = 1 and Nf = 4 models by analysing the transition from strong to weak coupling behaviour using an equation of state based on a continuous phase transition. While some qualitative differences emerge, it appears difficult to determine whether Nf = 4 lies above or below Nfc.