Finite Temperature Phase Transition in SU(2) Lattice Gauge Theory with Extended Action

TL;DR

This study investigates the finite temperature phase transition in three-dimensional SU(2) lattice gauge theory with an extended action, revealing a connection between deconfinement and bulk phase transitions through Monte Carlo simulations.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the relationship between deconfinement and bulk phase transitions in SU(2) lattice gauge theory with extended actions.

Findings

Deconfinement transition line joins the bulk transition line at its endpoint.

Polyakov loop exhibits a discontinuous jump across the bulk transition.

Implications for universality and transition nature are discussed.

Abstract

We study the three dimensional fundamental-adjoint $SU(2)$ lattice gauge theory at finite temperature by Monte Carlo simulations. We find that the finite temperature deconfinement phase transition line joins the first order bulk phase transition line at its endpoint. Moreover, across the bulk transition line, the Polyakov loop undergoes a discontinuous jump implying the existence of both confining and deconfining phases on its two sides. Implications for universality and the nature of the confining-deconfining transition are discussed.