Abstract
We consider two very different models of the flux tube linking two heavy quarks: a string linking the matter fields and a Coulombic description of two separately gauge invariant charges. We compare how close they are to the unknown true ground state in compact U(1) and the SU(2) Higgs model. Simulations in compact U(1) show that the string description is better in the confined phase but the Coulombic description is best in the deconfined phase; the last result is shown to agree with analytical calculations. Surprisingly in the nonabelian theory the Coulombic description is better in both the Higgs and confined phases. This indicates a significant difference in the width of the flux tubes in the two theories.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 054501 |
| Journal | Physical Review D |
| Volume | 77 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 3 Mar 2008 |
| Externally published | Yes |