Large $N$ scaling and factorization in SU($N$) Yang-Mills gauge theory

The large $N$ limit of SU($N$) gauge theories is well understood in perturbation theory. Also non-perturbative lattice studies have yielded important positive evidence that t Hoofts predictions are valid. We go far beyond the statistical and systematic precision of previous studies by making use of the Yang-Mills gradient flow and detailed Monte Carlo simulations of SU($N$) pure gauge theories in 4 dimensions. With results for $N=3,4,5,6,8$ we study the limit and the approach to it. We pay particular attention to observables which test the expected factorization in the large $N$ limit. The investigations are carried out both in the continuum limit and at finite lattice spacing. Large $N$ scaling is verified non-perturbatively and with high precision; in particular, factorization is confirmed. For quantities which only probe distances below the typical confinement length scale, the coefficients of the $1/N$ expansion are of $\mathrm{O}(1)$, but we found that large (smoothed) Wilson loops have rather large $\mathrm{O}(1/N^2)$ corrections. The exact size of such corrections does, of course, also depend on what is kept fixed when the limit is taken