On the Need for Phenomenological Theory of P-Vortices or Does Spaghetti Confinement Pattern Admit Condensed-Matter Analogies?

TL;DR

This paper explores the 'spaghetti' confinement pattern in gauge theories, proposing that condensed matter systems with coexisting charge-density waves and superconductivity may exhibit similar vortex structures, thus offering new insights into confinement mechanisms.

Contribution

It suggests a novel analogy between gauge theory confinement patterns and condensed matter vortex structures, advocating for experimental searches in specific condensed matter systems.

Findings

Identification of 'spaghetti' vortex pattern in lattice gauge theories

Proposal of condensed matter systems with coexisting charge-density waves and superconductivity as analogs

Encouragement for experimental investigation of vortex structures in condensed matter

Abstract

Usually the intuition from condensed-matter physics is used to provide ideas for possible confinement mechanisms in gauge theories. Today, with a clear but puzzling ``spaghetti'' confinement pattern, arising after a decade of lattice computer experiments, which implies formation of a fluctuating net of peculiar magnetic vortices rather than condensation of the homogeneously distributed magnetic monopoles, the time is coming to reverse the logic and search for similar patterns in condensed matter systems. The main thing to look for in a condensed matter setup is the simultaneous existence of narrow tubes ($P$-vortices or 1-branes) of direction-changing electric field and broader tubes (Abrikosov lines) of magnetic field, a pattern dual to the one, presumably underlying confinement in gluodynamics. As a possible place for this search we suggest systems with coexisting charge-density waves and superconductivity.