On projection (in)dependence of monopole condensate in lattice SU(2) gauge theory

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the monopole condensate in SU(2) lattice gauge theory varies with temperature across different Abelian projections, revealing that it depends on the projection choice and is not a reliable order parameter.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the monopole condensate's temperature dependence varies with Abelian projection, challenging previous claims about its role as an order parameter.

Findings

Monopole condensate depends on the Abelian projection used.

In certain gauges, the condensate does not vanish at the critical temperature.

The monopole condensate is not a universal order parameter across gauges.

Abstract

We study the temperature dependence of the monopole condensate in different Abelian projections of the SU(2) lattice gauge theory. Using the Frohlich-Marchetti monopole creation operator we show numerically that the monopole condensate depends on the choice of the Abelian projection. Contrary to the claims in the current literature we observe that in the Abelian Polyakov gauge and in the field strength gauge the monopole condensate does not vanish at the critical temperature and thus is not an order parameter.