New vortex solution in SU(3) gauge-Higgs theory

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new minimal vortex solution in SU(3) gauge-Higgs theory, revealing its properties at critical coupling where it decouples into abelian vortices and relates to supersymmetry enhancement.

Contribution

The paper demonstrates the existence of a novel minimal vortex in SU(3) gauge theory with two adjoint Higgs fields and analyzes its properties at critical coupling.

Findings

Vortex decouples into two abelian vortices at critical coupling

Exact vortex energy expressed in terms of topological charge

Critical coupling corresponds to supersymmetry enhancement

Abstract

Following a brief review of known vortex solutions in SU(N) gauge-adjoint Higgs theories we show the existence of a new ``minimal'' vortex solution in SU(3) gauge theory with two adjoint Higgs bosons. At a critical coupling the vortex decouples into two abelian vortices, satisfying Bogomol'nyi type, first order, field equations. The exact value of the vortex energy (per unit length) is found in terms of the topological charge that equals to the N=2 supersymmetric charge, at the critical coupling. The critical coupling signals the increase of the underlying supersymmetry.