A numerical study of a confined $Q\bar{Q}$ system in compact U(1) lattice gauge theory in 4D

TL;DR

This paper numerically investigates the confinement mechanism in 4D compact U(1) lattice gauge theory using duality properties, analyzing electric field profiles and Polyakov loop correlations with Monte Carlo simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a duality-based numerical approach to study confinement in 4D compact U(1) lattice gauge theory, highlighting its advantages and limitations.

Findings

Electric field profiles reveal confinement characteristics.

Polyakov loop correlations vary with charge separation.

Duality approach offers a new perspective on confinement mechanisms.

Abstract

We present a numerical study about the confining regime of compact U(1) lattice gauge theory in 4D. To address the problem, we exploit the duality properties of the theory. The main features of this method are presented, and its possible advantages and limits with respect to alternative techniques are briefly discussed. In Monte Carlo simulations, we focus our attention onto the case when a pair of static external charges is present. Some results are shown, concerning different observables which are of interest in order to understand the confinement mechanism, like the profile of the electric field induced by the static charges, and the ratios between Polyakov loop correlation functions at different distances.