Anatomy of SU(3) flux tubes at finite temperature

TL;DR

This paper investigates the structure and temperature dependence of SU(3) color flux tubes in quantum chromodynamics, adapting methods from zero-temperature studies to finite temperature conditions.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to study flux tubes at finite temperature using Polyakov loop correlators and Wilson loops, revealing their profiles and temperature effects.

Findings

Flux tube profiles resemble vortex fields in superconductors.

Parameters of flux tubes change with temperature.

Flux tubes persist at finite temperature, indicating confinement features.

Abstract

An attempt to adapt the study of color flux tubes to the case of finite temperature has been made. The field is measured both through the correlator of two Polyakov loops, one of which connected to a plaquette, and through a connected correlator of Wilson loop and plaquette in the spatial sublattice. Still the profile of the flux tube resembles the transverse field distribution around an isolated vortex in an ordinary superconductor. The temperature dependence of all the parameters characterizing the flux tube is investigated.