Deconfinement transition in three-dimensional compact U(1) gauge theories coupled to matter fields

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that matter fields can induce a deconfinement transition in three-dimensional compact U(1) gauge theories, altering the confinement properties through a non-trivial infrared fixed point and anomalous scaling.

Contribution

It reveals how matter fields cause a deconfinement transition by modifying the infrared behavior and interactions of gauge fields in 3D U(1) gauge theories.

Findings

Matter fields lead to a deconfinement transition in 3D U(1) gauge theory.

Logarithmic interactions between magnetic monopoles are responsible for unconfined electric charges.

A Kosterlitz-Thouless type transition unbinds magnetic monopoles at a critical electric charge.

Abstract

It is shown that permanent confinement in three-dimensional compact U(1) gauge theory can be destroyed by matter fields in a deconfinement transition. This is a consequence of a non-trivial infrared fixed point caused by matter, and an anomalous scaling dimension of the gauge field. This leads to a logarithmic interaction between the defects of the gauge-fields, which form a gas of magnetic monopoles. In the presence of logarithmic interactions, the original electric charges are unconfined. The confined phase which is permanent in the absence of matter fields is reached at a critical electric charge, where the interaction between magnetic charges is screened by a pair unbinding transition in a Kosterlitz-Thouless type of phase-transition.