On the phase structure of five-dimensional SU(2) gauge theories with anisotropic couplings

TL;DR

This paper investigates the phase structure of five-dimensional SU(2) gauge theories with anisotropic couplings using Monte Carlo simulations, revealing phase transitions and indications of dimensional reduction.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of phase transitions in anisotropic 5D SU(2) gauge theories, including the identification of first and second order transitions.

Findings

Identified a line of first order phase transitions separating confined and deconfined phases.

Observed hints of dimensional reduction from static potential measurements.

Located and analyzed second order phase transitions related to center symmetry breaking.

Abstract

The phase diagram of five-dimensional SU(2) gauge theories is explored using Monte Carlo simulations of the theory discretized on a Euclidean lattice using the Wilson plaquette action and periodic boundary conditions. We simulate anisotropic gauge couplings which correspond to different lattice spacings a_4 in the four dimensions and a_5 along the extra dimension. In particular we study the case where a_5>a_4. We identify a line of first order phase transitions which separate the confined from the deconfined phase. We perform simulations in large volume at the bulk phase transition staying in the confined vacuum. The static potential measured in the hyperplanes orthogonal to the extra dimension hint at dimensional reduction. We also locate and analyze second order phase transitions related to breaking of the center along one direction.