Work

Study of the Emergence of a Gluon Mass Scale from Center Vortices Using a Wave-Functional Formalism

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Lattice simulations and theoretical analyses consistently identify center vortices and monopoles as key nonperturbative configurations in Yang-Mills theory. In the continuum, the effective representation of mixed oriented and nonoriented center vortices showed that these degrees of freedom generate a confining flux tube with N-ality. Independently, studies of correlation functions reveal an infrared behavior characterized by massivelike scales. In this Letter, field correlators are computed for the first time in a theoretical framework based on center vortices. Using an Abelian-projected vacuum wave functional peaked on the mixed ensemble, we show the emergence of a massivelike gauge-invariant field strength correlator. For this behavior, the nonoriented component in the center-vortex condensate turns out to be essential, as is also the case for producing the correct properties of confining flux tubes.

Source: Physical Review Letters

DOI: 10.1103/fs1k-rjbg

Authors: David R. Junior, Gastão Krein, Luis E. Oxman, Bruno R. Soares

Institutions: ICTP South American Institute for Fundamental Research, University of Tübingen, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Universidade Federal Fluminense

Language: English

Topic: Quantum Chromodynamics and Particle Interactions

Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,750

Funders: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico