Monopole–center vortex chains in SU(2) gauge theory

Abstract

We study the relation between center vortex fluxes and monopole fluxes for $SU(2)$ gauge group in a model. This model is the same as thick center vortex model but we use monopole-antimonopole configurations instead of center vortices in the vacuum. Monopole-antimonopole configurations are line-like similar to center vortices. The group factor and potential for the fundamental representation of these configurations are studied and compared with those of center vortices. As a result, we obtain monopole-vortex chains which appear in lattice Monte Carlo simulations, as well. If these monopole-vortex chains intersect the large Wilson loop in two points, screening is observed for the potential in the fundamental representation at large distances and confinement is observed when one leg of the chain intersects the Wilson loop.