Z(2) monopoles in D = (2+1) SU(2) lattice gauge theory

Oct, 2000
13 pages
Published in:
  • JHEP 11 (2000) 043
e-Print:
Report number:
  • EDINBURGH-2000-21,
  • OUTP-00-42P,
  • UTCCP-P-93

Citations per year

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Abstract:
We calculate the Euclidean action of a pair of Z2 monopoles (instantons), as a function of their spatial separation, in D=2+1 SU(2) lattice gauge theory. We do so both above and below the deconfining transition at T=Tc. At high T, and at large separation, we find that the monopole `interaction' grows linearly with distance: the flux between the monopoles forms a flux tube (exactly like a finite portion of a Z2 domain wall) so that the monopoles are linearly confined. At short distances the interaction is well described by a Coulomb interaction with, at most, a very small screening mass, possibly equal to the Debye electric screening mass. At low T the interaction can be described by a simple screened Coulomb (i.e. Yukawa) interaction with a screening mass that can be interpreted as the mass of a `constituent gluon'. None of this is unexpected, but it helps to resolve some apparent controversies in the recent literature.
  • gauge field theory: SU(2)
  • lattice field theory
  • monopole: Z(2)
  • critical phenomena
  • mass: screening
  • numerical calculations: Monte Carlo