1307.0722 (C. Wetterich)

Linear lattice gauge theory    [PDF]

C. Wetterich

Linear lattice gauge theory is based on link variables that are arbitrary complex or real $N\times N$ matrices. This contrasts with the usual (non-linear) formulation with unitary or orthogonal matrices. The additional degrees of freedom correspond to massive particles. We discuss a limit in parameter space where linear lattice gauge theory becomes equivalent to the standard formulation. We argue that the continuum limit of linear lattice gauge theory may be a useful setting for an analytic description of confinement. The running gauge coupling corresponds to the flow of the minimum of a "link potential". This minimum occurs for nonzero values $l_0$ in the perturbative regime, while $l_0$ vanishes in the confinement regime.

View original: http://arxiv.org/abs/1307.0722