Wilson loops in noncompact U(1) gauge theories at criticality

Journal Article · Tue Apr 15 00:00:00 EDT 2008 · Physical Review. D, Particles Fields

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVD.77.085011· OSTI ID:21250046

Metlitski, Max A ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge Massachusetts 02138 (United States)

We study the properties of Wilson loops in three-dimensional noncompact U(1) gauge theories with global Abelian symmetries. We use duality in the continuum and on the lattice to argue that, close to the critical point between the Higgs and Coulomb phases, all correlators of the Wilson loops are periodic functions of the Wilson loop charge, Q. The period depends on the global symmetry of the theory, which determines the magnetic flux carried by the dual particles. For single flavor scalar electrodynamics, the emergent period is Q=1. In the general case of N complex scalars with a U(1){sup N-1} global symmetry, the period is Q=N. We also give some arguments why this phenomenon does not generalize to theories with a full non-Abelian SU(N) symmetry, where no periodicity in Q is expected. Implications for lattice simulations, as well as for physical systems, such as easy-plane antiferromagnets and disordered superfluids, are noted.

• OSTI ID: 21250046
• Journal Information: Physical Review. D, Particles Fields, Vol. 77, Issue 8; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevD.77.085011; (c) 2008 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0556-2821
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DUALITY
ELECTRODYNAMICS
FLAVOR MODEL
GAUGE INVARIANCE
HIGGS MODEL
LATTICE FIELD THEORY
MAGNETIC FLUX
PARTICLES
PERIODICITY
SU GROUPS
SUPERFLUIDITY
SYMMETRY
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
U-1 GROUPS
UNIFIED GAUGE MODELS
WILSON LOOP