Short distance potential and the thick center vortex model

Abstract

The short distance potentials between heavy SU(3) and SU(4) sources are calculated by increasing the role of vortex fluxes piercing Wilson loops with contributions close to the trivial center element and by fluctuating the vortex core size in the model of thick center vortices. By this method, a Coulombic potential consistent with Casimir scaling is obtained. In addition, all other features of the potential including a linear intermediate potential in agreement with Casimir scaling and a large distance potential proportional to the $N$-ality of the representation are restored. Therefore, the model of thick center vortices may be used as a phenomenological model, which is able to describe the potential for all regimes.