Dual vortices and gauge choice in Abelian projected SU(2) lattice gauge theory

K. Bernstein, G. Di Cecio, R. W. Haymaker

Published 1996-06-26, updated 1997-03-05Version 2

We explore vortex formation for Abelian projected SU(2) in the Polyakov gauge and compare the results with those calculated in the maximal Abelian gauge. In both gauges, a non-zero vacuum expectation value of a monopole field operator signals confinement. We find vortices in the Polyakov projection, confirming the connection between the dual superconductor order parameter and the existence of vortices. However we find that the Polyakov Abelian projection is problematic, leaving the maximal Abelian projection as the best candidate to define an effective theory of confinement in this scenario.