1997/10/31 by M. N. Chernodub, F. V. Gubarev, E. -M. Ilgenfritz +1 · 3 citations
Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Abelian group #Baryogenesis #Combinatorics #Electroweak interaction #Gauge theory #Magnetic monopole #Mathematics #Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies #Physics #Physics of Superconductivity and Magnetism #Quantum mechanics #Quantum, superfluid, helium dynamics #Sphaleron #Theoretical physics #Topological defect #Topology (electrical circuits) #hep-lat #hep-ph #hep-th
paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/s0370-2693(98)00101-4
published as Phys.Lett.B424:106-114,1998 · 13 pages, LaTeX, 9 figures, uses epsf.sty; The sign in eq.(13) is corrected; to appear in Phys.Lett.B
openalex publication_date 1998/04/01 · arxiv created 1998/04/02 · arxiv updated 2010/05/27 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
3D electroweak sphalerons on the lattice are used as test configurations for definitions of various topological defects. In the maximally Abelian gauge they are shown to contain a symmetric array of Abelian monopoles and anti-monopoles connected by two kinds of Abelian vortex strings. Gauge-invariant lattice definitions of the Nambu monopole and the Z-vortex string are formulated which correspond to Abelian projection from the unitary gauge. The sphalerons contain in their core just one (non-Abelian) Nambu monopole-anti-monopole pair (connected by a Z-string) in an unstable saddle point bound state. This provides an example for the monopole-pair unbinding mechanism expected to work at the electroweak phase transition. The definitions of defects developed here will be used in future studies of topological aspects of this transition.