Casimir Scaling in SU(2) Lattice Gauge Theory

TL;DR

This paper uses advanced Monte Carlo simulations to verify Casimir scaling in SU(2) lattice gauge theory, demonstrating that potential ratios and Wilson loop ratios follow theoretical predictions across different representations.

Contribution

It provides numerical evidence supporting Casimir scaling in SU(2) gauge theory using the multilevel algorithm for various static source representations.

Findings

Data supports Casimir scaling hypothesis.

Wilson loop ratios also follow Casimir scaling.

Results extend understanding of static potentials in gauge theories.

Abstract

By employing the multilevel algorithm in numerical Monte Carlo simulations, we evaluate the static potential in four dimensional SU(2) lattice gauge theory with no dynamical fermions, for static sources in the j=1/2,1,3/2 representations. We find data supporting the Casimir scaling hypothesis. With the same technique we show that the ratio of the logarithm of Wilson loops in the j=2 and j=1/2 representations, as a function of the area of the loops, also satisfies Casimir scaling.