The First Order Signal in Pure U(1) Gauge Theory May be Fake

TL;DR

This study investigates the deconfinement phase transition in pure U(1) lattice gauge theory on closed topologies, challenging previous findings of metastability and suggesting topology influences the phase transition's nature.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the phase transition's characteristics depend on lattice topology, specifically showing no metastability on spherical topologies, which questions prior conclusions.

Findings

No metastability signal on spherical topologies

Topology affects the phase transition properties

Reevaluation of the transition's order is needed

Abstract

We study the deconfinement phase transition of compact $U(1)$ pure lattice gauge theory with the Wilson action on {\em closed topology} lattices. In contrast to studies of compact QED on {\em hypercubic lattices with periodic boundary conditions}, we find no metastability signal at the phase transition on the lattices with the topology of a sphere. Thus the determination of the order of this phase transition has to be reconsidered. We argue that different properties of closed monopole loops on these topological inequivalent lattices might be responsible for the effect.