Center Vortices at Strong Couplings and All Couplings

TL;DR

This paper analytically derives a long-range effective action in strong-coupling lattice gauge theory, demonstrating that center vortices are stable saddlepoints and thus support the vortex confinement mechanism at all couplings.

Contribution

It provides an analytical derivation showing center vortices as stable solutions in strong-coupling lattice gauge theory, strengthening the vortex confinement theory.

Findings

Center vortices emerge as stable saddlepoints in the effective action.

The vortex picture is supported analytically at strong couplings.

The paper addresses and responds to recent criticisms of the vortex approach.

Abstract

Motivations for the center vortex theory of confinement are discussed. In particular, it is noted that the abelian dual Meissner effect, which is the signature of dual superconductivity, cannot adequately describe the confining force at large distance scales. A long-range effective action is derived from strong-coupling lattice gauge theory in D=3 dimensions, and it is shown that center vortices emerge as the stable saddlepoints of this action. Thus, in the case of strong couplings, the vortex picture is arrived at analytically. I also respond briefly to a recent criticism regarding maximal center gauge.