Phase transitions in abelian lattice gauge theories
Abstract
Description
We study the phase transition in the abelian lattice gauge theory using the Wilson-Polyakov line as the order parameter. The Wilson-Polyakov line remains very small at strong coupling and becomes non-zero at weak coupling, signalling a confinement to deconfinement phase transition. The decondensation of monopole loops is responsible for this phase transition. A finite size scaling analysis of the susceptibility of the Wilson line gives a ratio for $γ/ν$ which is quite close to the corresponding value in the 3-d planar model. A scaling behaviour for the monopole loop distribution function is also established at the point of the second order phase transition. A measurement of the plaquette susceptibility at the transition point shows that it does not scale with the four dimensional volume as is expected of a first order bulk transition.
17 pages in LaTeX with eight figures. The manuscript has been substantially revised and some more results are included
17 pages in LaTeX with eight figures. The manuscript has been substantially revised and some more results are included