Duality and the phases of massive gauge-invariant QCD

I discuss the phase structure of massive gauge invariant QCD (the gauged non-linear sigma model) using an operator formalism proposed by 't Hooft. The dual variables for this system are determined and the 't Hooft loop operator is constructed from these dual field variables. Its equal time commutation relations with the Wilson loop operator is explicitly verified. The system possesses two possible phases. In the semi-classical approximation (weak coupling), magnetic confinement as indicated by an area law for the expectation value of 't Hooft loops is observed. If above a certain critical coupling a condensate of vortices is formed, then the expectation value of the 't Hooft loop in the dilute vortex approximation shows a perimeter law indicating electric confinement.     

Gauge theories of Josephson junction arrays

We show that the zero-temperature physics of planar Josephson junction arrays in the self-dual approximation is governed by an Abelian gauge theory with a periodic mixed Chern-Simons term describing the charge-vortex coupling. The periodicity requires the existence of (Euclidean) topological excitations which determine the quantum phase structure of the model. The electric-magnetic duality leads to a quantum phase transition between a superconductor and a superinsulator at the self-dual point. We also discuss in this framework the recently proposed quantum Hall phases for charges and vortices in presence of external offset charges and magnetic fluxes: we show how the periodicity of the charge-vortex coupling can lead to transitions to anyon superconductivity phases. We finally generalize our results to three dimensions, where the relevant gauge theory is the so-called BF system with an antisymmetric Kalb-Ramond gauge field.     

Comparison of lattice gauge theories with gauge groups Z2 and SU(2)

We study a model of a pure Yang Mills theory with gauge group SU(2) on a lattice in Euclidean space. We compare it with the model obtained by restricting variables to $\text{Z}$₂. An inequality relating expectation values of the Wilson loop integral in the two theories is established. It shows that confinement of static quarks is true in our SU(2) model whenever it holds for the corresponding $\text{Z}$₂-model. The SU(2) model is shown to have high and low temperature phases that are distinguished by a qualitatively different behavior of the 't Hooft disorder parameter.     

A study of alternative actions for lattice gauge theories

A study of the intrinsic properties of Manton and Menotti-Onofri alternative actions for lattice gauge theories is presented. Their mutual relationships as well as their duality transformations and the behavior of the corresponding Wilson loop functionals are investigated. We show that Manton's action leads (in the weak coupling region) to a self-dual theory and that both the new actions imply in two-dimensions no crossover kink.     

Properties of quark matter governed by quantum chromodynamics (II). Renormalization schemes in quark matter

Renormalization schemes are examined (in the Coulomb gauge) for quantum chromodynamics in the presence of quark matter. We demand that the effective coupling constant for all schemes become congruent with the vacuum QCD running coupling constant as the matter chemical potential, μ, goes to zero. Also, to enable us to standardize with the vacuum QCD running coupling constant at some asymptotic momentum transfer, $\text{|}\text{p}{}_0\text{|,}\text{we keep}\text{μ ? ¦}\text{p}{}_0\text{¦}$, to ensure that the matter contribution is negligible at this point. This means all schemes merge with vacuum QCD at $\text{|}\text{p}{}_0\text{|}$ and beyond. Two renormalization group invariants are shown to emerge: (i) the effective or invariant charge, g_inv², which is, however, scheme dependent and (ii) g²(M)/S(M), where S(M)^?1 is the Coulomb propagator, which is scheme independent. The only scheme in which g_inv² is scheme independent and identical to g²(M)/S(M) is the screened charged scheme (previous paper) characterised by the normalization of the entire Green function, S^?1, to unity. We conclude that this is the scheme to be used if one wants to identify with the experimental effective coupling in perturbation theory. However, if we do not restrict to perturbation theory all schemes should be allowed. Although we discuss matter QCD in the Coulomb gauge, the above considerations are quite general to gauge theories in the presence of matter.     

Monte Carlo simulation of SU(2) gauge theory with fermions on a four-dimensional lattice

After integration over the fermions in an SU(2) lattice gauge theory, the effective fermionic action may be expressed as a sum over all possible closed gauge field loops with corresponding weight factors. We approximate this sum and perform a Monte Carlo simulation of a coupled fermion-gauge system on a 4⁴ lattice. We compare our results for 〈S_eff〉 and $\text{〈}\text{ψ}\text{ψ〉}$ for different values of the gauge field coupling β and fermion coupling κ with the free fermion theory on a lattice. 〈S_eff〉 turns out to be quite small for $\text{κ?}\text{1}\text{8}$.     

Progress in lattice gauge theory

Two topics of lattice gauge theory are reviewed. They include string tension and β-function calculations by strong coupling Hamiltonian methods for SU(3) gauge fields in 3 + 1 dimensions, and a 1/N-expansion for discrete gauge and spin systems in all dimensions. The SU(3) calculations give solid evidence for the coexistence of quark confinement and asymptotic freedom in the renormalized continuum limit of the lattice theory. The crossover between weak and strong coupling behavior in the theory is seen to be a weak coupling but non-perturbative effect. Quantitative relationships between perturbative and non-perturbative renormalization schemes are obtained for the O(N) nonlinear sigma models in 1 + 1 dimensions as well as the range theory in 3 + 1 dimensions. Analysis of the strong coupling expansion of the β-function for gauge fields suggests that it has cuts in the complex 1/g²-plane. A toy model of such a cut structure which naturally explains the abruptness of the theory's crossover from weak to strong coupling is presented. The relation of these cuts to other approaches to gauge field dynamics is discussed briefly.The dynamics underlying first order phase transitions in a wide class of lattice gauge theories is exposed by considering a class of models-P(N) gauge theories - which are soluble in the N → ∞ limit and have non-trivial phase diagrams. The first order character of the phase transitions in Potts spin systems for N #62; 4 in 1 + 1 dimensions is explained in simple terms which generalizes to P(N) gauge systems in higher dimensions. The phase diagram of Ising lattice gauge theory coupled to matter fields is obtained in a $\text{1}\text{N}$ expansion. A one-plaquette model (1 time-0 space dimensions) with a first-order phase transitions in the N → ∞ limit is discussed.     

Dimensional regularization and the two-loop axial anomaly in abelian,non-abelian and supersymmetric gauge theories

The two-loop corrections to the axial anomaly are calculated for a non-abelian gauge theory with fermions using both conventional and supersymmetric dimensional regularization. In both cases we find results consistent with the Adler-Bardeen theorem if we use non-anticommuting γ⁵ of 't Hooft and Veltman. Expectations (based on the supermultiplet structure of the anomalies) that there exists in N = 1 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory an axial current J⁵ such that $\text{?·J}{}^5\text{～ β(g)F}\text{F}\text{?}$ are discussed.     

On the structure of generalized monopole solutions in gauge theories

A method is presented for constructing generalized 't Hooft monopole solutions in a gauge theory with an arbitrary gauge group. We derive restriction arising from the condition of finite energy. The radial oscillation of the solution is discussed. Using our method we reproduce all the SU(3) solutions known in the literature. Finite energy monopoles possessing magnetic charge in the range g₀?kg₀?(N?1)g₀ are found in SU(N) gauge theories. Different charge quantization conditions are analyzed to understand the structure of our solutions.     

Impact parameter analysis of KN and πN scattering in the intermediate energy region

We have evaluated the s-channel-helicity partial-wave amplitudes for $\text{K}\text{N and πN}$ scattering as functions of the impact parameter using partial-wave data in the energy range P_L≈1.0–2.0 GeV/c. We find that the $\text{K}\text{N}$ background and resonance amplitudes exhibit features consistent with the dual absorptive picture for pomeron and f + ω and A₂ + ? exchanges. Comparison of the πN low-energy amplitude with the partial-wave decomposition of a quantitative Regge model gives evidence for local duality between the s-channel resonance and t- and u-channel Regge exchanges.     

More evidence for universality in the SU(2) lattice gauge theory

The O⁺ glueball mass in the fundamental-adjoint SU(2) la ttice gauge theory is extracted from the Monte Carlo data on the correlation functions at time distances t = 1 and t = 2 on a 8⁴ lattice. The ratio $\text{m}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>g</mtext>}}\text{σ}$ is constant in the β_F ?β_A region explored giving more evidence in favour of the universality hypothesis.     

A study of 't Hooft and Wilson loops

An investigation is undertaken for 't Hooft loop operators in four-dimensional gauge theories. For the first time, a perimeter law is shown to be their behavior in weak coupling Wilson lattice (and continuum) non-abelian SU(N) gauge theories for all N. However, it is also argued that this perimeter law is poor criterion for quark confinement. Rather, it is suggested that non-leading long-distance behavior is what is crucial and relevant in distinguishing non-abelian from abelian (and hence confining from non-confining) theories. A new object, “the 't Hooft line”, is introduced to measure this non-leading behavior and is computed in strong coupling on the lattice. There, one finds magnetic screening characterized by a magnetic screening mass, m_s. It is shown to all orders in strong coupling that m_s is the glueball mass, a result which is expected to persist in weak coupling and in the continuum. Two further consequences of this work are that pure non-abelian gauge theories cannot be in a Higgs phase and that in such models that absence of massless physical particles implies confinement.Finally, non-leading behavior in Wilson loops is examined. The present picture of confinement suggests the absence of van der Waals forces in Yang-Mills theories.     

A stagnant gauge for QCD

It is shown that the gauge-fixing parameter α of standard covariant gauges may legitimately be replaced by an operator α(□). In particular, α may be chosen so that the gluon propagator has a “stagnant” tensor structure proportional to g_ην for all momenta. This choice of gauge simplifies explicit calculations and leads to renormalization group equations with no $\text{?}\text{?α}$ term.     

Inelastic scattering and satellite fine structure in the high-resolution uv photoelectron spectrum of CS2

The outer valence region in CS₂ has been studied by high-resolution UV photpelectron Spectroscopy. The spectra reveal detailed vibrational structure in the X$\text{\$}\text{?}$²Π_g, A$\text{\$}\text{?}$²Π_u, B$\text{\$}\text{?}$²Σ⁺_u and C$\text{\$}\text{?}$²Σ⁺_g bands. Some of the fine-structure peaks in the X$\text{,}\text{?}$B$\text{\$}\text{?}$and C$\text{\$}\text{?}$bands are shown to be pressure-dependent. The reason for the pressure dependence is assumed to be inelastic scattering of electrons emitted in the adiabatic transitions. It is established that the two CI satellite bands present in the He(I)-excited spectrum contain vibrational structure.     

Holographic description of large N gauge theory

Based on the earlier work [S.-S. Lee, Nucl. Rev. B 832 (2010) 567], we derive a holographic dual for the D-dimensional U(N) lattice gauge theory from a first principle construction. The resulting theory is a lattice field theory of closed loops, dubbed as lattice loop field theory which is defined on a (D+1)-dimensional space. The lattice loop field theory is well defined non-perturbatively, and it becomes weakly coupled and local in the large N limit with a large ?t Hooft coupling.     

Nonabelian electric and magnetic flux in unified SU(5) gauge theory

We study the long-distance behaviour of pure unified SU(5) gauge theory in the limit when the electroweak subgroup is unbroken. We show that the symmetry breaking pattern SU(5)→SU(3)_c×SU(2)×U(1)_Y, with SU(3)_c and SU(2) ×U(1)_Y realized, respectively, in confining and coulombic phases, is a possible dynamical phase of the SU(5) theory. The proof relies on showing that the duality equation of 't Hooft, relating the electric and magnetic flux, is exactly satisfied for the above symmetry breaking pattern. The infrared structure of SU(5), broken down to SU(3)_c×SU(2)×U(1)_Y, is not self-dual.