Unexciting non-Abelian electric fields

TL;DR

This paper constructs special non-Abelian electric field configurations in pure gauge theory that remain stable against Schwinger pair production, providing insights into the stability of QCD flux tubes.

Contribution

It introduces novel electric field configurations in non-Abelian gauge theory that prevent Schwinger pair production, addressing a key stability issue in QCD flux tubes.

Findings

Identified electric field configurations resistant to Schwinger pair production.

Demonstrated stability of these configurations in pure non-Abelian gauge theory.

Discussed implications for the confinement mechanism in QCD.

Abstract

Electric fields in QED are known to discharge due to Schwinger pair production of charged particles. Corresponding electric fields in non-Abelian theory are known to discharge due to the production of gluons. Yet electric flux tubes in QCD ought to be stable to the production of charged gluons as they confine quarks. We resolve this conundrum by finding electric field configurations in pure non-Abelian gauge theory in which the Schwinger process is absent and the electric field is protected against quantum dissipation. We comment on the implications for QCD flux tubes.