Center vortex properties in the Laplace center gauge of SU(2) Yang-Mills theory

Abstract

Resorting to the the Laplace center gauge (LCG) and to the Maximal-center gauge (MCG), respectively, confining vortices are defined by center projection in either case. Vortex properties are investigated in the continuum limit of SU(2) lattice gauge theory. The vortex (area) density and the density of vortex crossing points are investigated. In the case of MCG, both densities are physical quantities in the continuum limit. By contrast, in the LCG the piercing as well as the crossing points lie dense in the continuum limit. In both cases, an approximate treatment by means of a weakly interacting vortex gas is not appropriate.