Magnetic monopole versus vortex as gauge-invariant topological objects for quark confinement

TL;DR

This paper defines gauge-invariant chromomagnetic monopoles in SU(N) Yang-Mills theory, explores their role in quark confinement, and compares monopole and vortex condensation scenarios through analytical and lattice simulation insights.

Contribution

It introduces a gauge-independent monopole definition, analyzes their contribution to Wilson loops, and compares monopole and vortex condensation mechanisms for quark confinement.

Findings

Gauge-invariant monopoles contribute to the Wilson loop area law.

Magnetic monopole and vortex condensation scenarios are compatible.

Estimate of string tension from vortex condensation is provided.

Abstract

First, we give a gauge-independent definition of chromomagnetic monopoles in $SU(N)$ Yang-Mills theory which is derived through a non-Abelian Stokes theorem for the Wilson loop operator. Then we discuss how such magnetic monopoles can give a nontrivial contribution to the Wilson loop operator for understanding the area law of the Wilson loop average. Next, we discuss how the magnetic monopole condensation picture are compatible with the vortex condensation picture as another promising scenario for quark confinement. We analyze the profile function of the magnetic flux tube as the non-Abelian vortex solution of $U(N)$ gauge-Higgs model, which is to be compared with numerical simulations of the $SU(N)$ Yang-Mills theory on a lattice. This analysis gives an estimate of the string tension based on the vortex condensation picture, and possible interactions between two non-Abelian vortices.