Confining phase of three-dimensional supersymmetric quantum electrodynamics

Dec, 1999
18 pages
e-Print:
Report number:
  • IASSNS-HEP-99-115,
  • IASSNS--HEP--99-115

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Abstract:
Abelian theories in three dimensions can have linearly confining phases as a result of monopole-instantons, as shown, for SU(2) Yang-Mills theory broken to its abelian subgroup, by Polyakov. In this article the generalization of this phase for N=2 supersymmetric abelian theories is identified, using a dual description. Topologically stable BPS-saturated and unsaturated particle and string solitons play essential roles. A plasma of chiral monopoles of charge 1 and -1 (along with their antichiral conjugates) are required for a stable confining vacuum. N=2 SU(2) Yang-Mills theory broken to U(1) lacks this phase because its chiral monopoles all have the same charge, leading to a runaway instability. The possibility of analogous confining phases of string theory, and a dual field theoretic model thereof, are briefly discussed.
Note:
  • A Contribution to the Yuri Golfand memorial volume
  • 18 pages, 8 figures, uses sprocl.tex. Submitted as a contribution to the Yuri Golfand memorial volume
  • quantum electrodynamics
  • dimension: 3
  • supersymmetry: superfield
  • effective action
  • confinement
  • XYZ model
  • string model: BPS