1212.3507 (C. Wetterich)

Scalar lattice gauge theory    [PDF]

C. Wetterich

Scalar lattice gauge theories are models for scalar fields with local symmetries. No fundamental gauge fields, or link variables in a lattice regularization, are introduced. The latter rather arise as collective excitations composed from scalars. We argue that a suitable region in the rich phase diagram of scalar lattice gauge theory belongs to the same universality class as usual lattice gauge theories formulated in terms of links. This therefore leads to the same predictions in the continuum limit, in particular confinement. We also present an equivalent a formulation using only gauge invariant composite scalar fields. We speculate about the use of linear link variables for the description of the confinement regime in non-abelian gauge theories. Scalar lattice gauge theories or their fermionic counterpart may also be helpful for a realization of gauge theories in ultracold atoms.

View original: http://arxiv.org/abs/1212.3507