Related papers: k-String tensions and the 1/N expansion
We perform a systematic analysis of k-strings in the framework of the gauge/gravity correspondence. We discuss the Klebanov-Strassler supergravity background which is known to be dual to a confining supersymmetric gauge theory with chiral…
We consider three-dimensional SU(N) gauge theories with massless Dirac or Majorana fermions in the adjoint representation. We use the Eguchi-Kawai volume reduction to two-dimensions to calculate the tension sigma_k of the k-string in such…
Using smeared Creutz ratios we extract the string tension for SU(N) pure gauge theory and $N$=3,4,5,6,8. We employ these results to extrapolate to large N. The same methodology is applied to the single-site Twisted Eguchi Kawai model. The…
We calculate the energy spectrum of a k=2 flux tube that is closed around a spatial torus, as a function of its length l. We do so for SU(4) and SU(5) gauge theories in 2 space dimensions. We find that to a very good approximation the…
We extend our earlier investigation of the finite temperature deconfinement transition in SU(N) gauge theories, with the emphasis on what happens as N->oo. We calculate the latent heat in the continuum limit, and find the expected quadratic…
Sources in higher representations of SU(N) gauge theory at T=0 couple with apparently stable strings with tensions depending on the specific representation rather than on its N-ality. Similarly at the deconfining temperature these sources…
We perform lattice calculations of the spatial 't Hooft k-string tensions in the deconfined phase of SU(N) gauge theories for N=2,3,4,6. These equal (up to a factor of T) the surface tensions of the domain walls between the corresponding…
We compare the mass spectra and string tensions of SU(2), SU(3) and SU(4) gauge theories in 2+1 dimensions. We find that the ratios of masses are, to a first approximation, independent of N and that the remaining dependence can be…
Gauge theories with gauge group $SU(N)$ and quarks belonging to arbitrary representations of $SU(N)$ form a rich landscape of QCD-like theories, whose study can shed new light on the properties of confinement. Four cases are particularly…
The leading term for the energy of a bound state of k-quarks and k-antiquarks is proportional to its separation L. These k-string configurations have a Luscher term associated with their quantum fluctuations which is typically a 1/L…
I describe how the gluon chain model of QCD string formation meets a number of criteria which are required of any theory of the confining force, including: the correct center dependence and (at large-N) Casimir scaling of the string…
We review and elaborate on properties of the string tension in two-dimensional gauge theories. The first model we consider is massive QED in the $m\ll e$ limit. We evaluate the leading string tension both in the fermionic and bosonized…
We report some recent results obtained for large N gauge theories which support the idea of volume reduction. Results for the string tension of the Twisted Eguchi-Kawai model match with those obtained from extrapolation from finite N.…
We perform a high precision measurement of the static $q\bar{q}$ potential in three-dimensional SU($N$) gauge theory with $N=2,3$ and compare the results to the potential obtained from the effective string theory. In particular, we show…
We derive a formula for the large N behaviour of the expectation values of an arbitrary product of Wilson loops in the adjoint representation. We show the consequences of our formula for the study of the large N strong coupling behaviour of…
Simple scaling properties of correlation functions of a confining gauge theory in d-dimensions lead to the conclusion that k-string dynamics is described, in the infrared limit, by a two-dimensional conformal field theory with conformal…
We analyze the problem of screening in 1+1 dimensional gauge theories. Using QED2 as a warm-up for the non-abelian models we show the mechanism of the string breaking, in particular the vanishing overlap of the Wilson loops to the…
The spatial string tension of a SU(N) gauge theory without quarks is calculated using gauge/string duality for 1.2T_c<T<3T_c. The result is remarkably consistent with the available lattice data for N=2,3. Some evidence is found that to…
In d=3 SU(N) gauge theory, we study a scalar field theory model of center vortices that furnishes an approach to the determination of so-called k-string tensions. This model is constructed from string-like quantum solitons introduced…
We extend our earlier calculations of the spectrum of closed flux tubes in SU(N) gauge theories in 2+1 dimensions, with a focus on questions raised by recent theoretical progress on the effective string action of long flux tubes and the…