Monopoles and deconfinement transition in finite temperature $SU(2)$ QCD

TL;DR

This paper explores how monopoles influence the deconfinement transition in finite temperature $SU(2)$ QCD, showing that monopole loop behavior correlates with the confinement and deconfinement phases.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of monopole loop dynamics and their role in the phase transition within $SU(2)$ QCD in the maximally abelian gauge.

Findings

Long monopole loops exist in the confinement phase.

No long monopole loops are present in the deconfinement phase.

Balance of monopole loop energy and entropy explains the phase transition.

Abstract

We investigate the role of monopoles in the deconfinement transition of finite temperature $SU(2)$ QCD in the maximally abelian gauge. In the confinement phase a long monopole loop exists in each configuration, whereas no long loop exists in the deep deconfinement region. Balancing of the energy and the entropy of loops of the maximally extended monopoles can explain the occurrence of the deconfinement transition.