Gribov copies and topological charge

Abstract

The existence of Gribov copies is a central feature of the field configuration space of confining gauge theories. In particular a transition between two Gribov copies with relative winding number implies a space-time configuration with topological charge. We explicitly demonstrate the proliferation of Gribov copies with relative winding number, where our focus is on localized (finite norm) configurations in Coulomb gauge. We then discuss the likelihood that some pairs of such copies are connected by Minkowski space solutions. We also comment on the relative importance of instantons and the connection to confinement.