Attraction to large gauge orbits

SU(N) gauge systems are attracted to large orbits of the global gauge group by an invariant and calculable potential. In models the wave function becomes increasingly localized near the maximal orbit as N → ∞, which explains the success of semiclassical methods. Picturing the links U_i of the lattice as particles on an SU(N) group manifold, the effect favors large moments of inertia about U = 1. It thus opposes the magnetic interaction, and tends to destabilize the perturbative vacuum.