Quark liberation at high temperature: A Monte Carlo study of SU(2) gauge theory

Journal Article · Wed Jul 15 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · Phys. Rev. D; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.24.450· OSTI ID:6454290

McLerran, L D; Svetitsky, B

Quark confinement in a finite-temperature SU(N) gauge theory is formulated as the realization of a global Z/sub N/ symmetry. Spontaneous breakdown corresponds to a transition to a nonconfining, plasma phase. The free energy of a single quark is an order parameter which probes the phase structure, and it may be calculated in the Euclidean theory in terms of a ''Wilson line'' running the length of the system along the (periodic) time axis. We present results of a Monte Carlo calculation in the SU(2) lattice theory which confirm the transition at a critical temperature computed in terms of the zero-temperature string tension; data for the quark-antiquark potential are presented as well. We discuss the implications of the finite-temperature transition for efforts to calculate zero-temperature quantities on finite-size lattices. Finally, we note that restoration of Z/sub N/ symmetry as the temperature is lowered may be understood as a condensation of instantons and other topological objects.

• Research Organization: Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, Stanford, California 94305
• OSTI ID: 6454290
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. D; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. D; (United States) Vol. 24:2; ISSN PRVDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

645201 -- High Energy Physics-- Particle Interactions & Properties-Theoretical-- General & Scattering Theory
645400* -- High Energy Physics-- Field Theory
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
BAG MODEL
COMPOSITE MODELS
CONFINEMENT
ENERGY
EXTENDED PARTICLE MODEL
FIELD THEORIES
FREE ENERGY
GAUGE INVARIANCE
INSTANTONS
INTERACTIONS
INVARIANCE PRINCIPLES
LATTICE FIELD THEORY
LIE GROUPS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MONTE CARLO METHOD
PARTICLE INTERACTIONS
PARTICLE MODELS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
QUARK MODEL
QUARK-ANTIQUARK INTERACTIONS
QUASI PARTICLES
STRING MODELS
SU GROUPS
SU-2 GROUPS
SYMMETRY BREAKING
SYMMETRY GROUPS
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
VACUUM STATES
YANG-MILLS THEORY