Monopoles in Abelian Polyakov gauge and projection (in)dependence of the dual superconductor mechanism of confinement

TL;DR

This paper examines how the choice of Abelian projection influences the dual superconductor mechanism of confinement in SU(2) gluodynamics, highlighting that the mechanism's effectiveness depends on the gauge used and monopole behavior.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the dual superconductor scenario of confinement varies with the Abelian projection and clarifies the conditions under which monopole condensation leads to confinement.

Findings

Dual superconductor Lagrangian differs between gauges

Monopoles in the Abelian Polyakov gauge are static and do not cause confinement

Monopole condensation is necessary but not sufficient for confinement

Abstract

We discuss the effect of the choice of an Abelian projection on the dual superconductor mechanism of confinement in SU(2) gluodynamics. Using qualitative arguments we show that the dual superconductor Lagrangian corresponding to the Abelian Polyakov gauge has a different structure compared to the dual Lagrangian in the Maximal Abelian gauge. A difference between these Lagrangians reflects the fact that in continuum limit the monopoles should be static in the Abelian Polyakov gauge and therefore these monopoles can not give rise to the confinement of static quarks. Using the Abelian Polyakov gauge as an example, we show that (i) the dual superconductor scenario of confinement may depend on the Abelian projection; (ii) the condensation of the Abelian monopoles - which may be realized in any Abelian projection - is necessary but not sufficient condition for confinement. These results do not exclude an existence of a class of Abelian gauges in which the dual superconductor scenario works well.