String tension and monopoles in $T \neq 0$ SU(2) QCD

TL;DR

This study uses Monte-Carlo simulations to analyze monopole and photon contributions to Wilson loops in finite-temperature SU(2) QCD, revealing monopoles' key role in confinement and deconfinement phases.

Contribution

It demonstrates that monopole contributions alone can reproduce the string tension in both confinement and deconfinement phases of finite-temperature SU(2) QCD.

Findings

Monopole contributions reproduce the string tension in confinement phase.

Wrapped monopole loops account for spatial string tension in deconfinement phase.

Long monopole loops are responsible for confinement in the confined phase.

Abstract

Monopole and photon contributions to abelian Wilson loops are calculated using Monte-Carlo simulations of finite-temperature $SU(2)$ QCD in the maximally abelian gauge. The string tension is reproduced by monopole contribution alone also in finite temperature SU(2) QCD. The spatial string tension scales as $\sqrt{\sigma} \propto g^{2}(T)T$ and is reproduced almost by monopole contribution alone. Each configuration has one long monopole loop, and the long monopole loops alone are responsible for the string tension in the confinement phase. On the other hand, the spatial string tension in the deconfinement phase is reproduced by wrapped monopole loops alone.