Wilson line in finite-temperature gauge theories

Journal Article · Sat May 15 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · Phys. Rev. D; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.25.2667· OSTI ID:5494275

Weiss, N

The phases of SU(N) gauge theories at finite temperature can be analyzed in terms of the Wilson line L(x) = TrP exp(ig..integral../sub 0//sup ..beta../A/sub 0/(x,tau)dtau). The question of confinement is related to the spontaneous breakdown of a Z(N) symmetry: not =0 corresponds to symmetry breaking and deconfinement, = 0 implies symmetry restoration and confinement. A previous calculation of the one-loop effective potential for L is discussed in SU(N) theories, both with and without fermions. A possible mechanism for the confining-deconfining transition in terms of the formation of ''Z(N) bubbles'' is discussed. For SU(2) theories, the Z(2) bubbles are simply finite-temperature instantons. However, Z(N) bubbles are not finite-temperature instantons for SU(N). It is shown that a bag picture of hadronic structure similar to that of Callan, Dashen, and Gross may emerge from this picture.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2A6, Canada
• OSTI ID: 5494275
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. D; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. D; (United States) Vol. 25:10; ISSN PRVDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

645301 -- High Energy Physics-- Particle Invariance Principles & Symmetries-- General-- (-1987)
645400* -- High Energy Physics-- Field Theory
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
FIELD THEORIES
FUNCTIONS
GAUGE INVARIANCE
INSTANTONS
INVARIANCE PRINCIPLES
LATTICE FIELD THEORY
LIE GROUPS
PARTITION FUNCTIONS
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
QUASI PARTICLES
SU GROUPS
SYMMETRY BREAKING
SYMMETRY GROUPS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE