The a-function for gauge theories

The a-function is a proposed quantity defined for quantum field theories which has a monotonic behaviour along renormalisation group flows, being related to the β-functions via a gradient flow equation involving a positive definite metric. We construct the a-function at four-loop order for a general gauge theory with fermions and scalars, using only one and two loop β-functions; we are then able to provide a stringent consistency check on the general three-loop gauge β-function. In the case of an N=1 supersymmetric gauge theory, we present a general condition on the chiral field anomalous dimension which guarantees an exact all-orders expression for the a-function; and we verify this up to fifth order (corresponding to the three-loop anomalous dimension).