The bosonized version of the Schwinger model in four dimensions: a blueprint for confinement?

Abstract

For a $(3+1)$-dimensional generalization of the Schwinger model, we compute the interaction energy between two test charges. The result shows that the static potential profile contains a linear term leading to the confinement of probe charges, exactly as in the original model in two dimensions. We further show that the same 4-dimensional model also appears as one version of the $ B \wedge F$ models in $(3+1)$ dimensions under dualization of Stueckelberg-like massive gauge theories. Interestingly, this particular model is characterized by the mixing between a $U(1)$ potential and an Abelian $3$-form field of the type that appears in the topological sector of QCD.