Glueballs, strings and topology in D=3+1 SU(N) gauge theories

by Mike TEPER (Oxford University)

Thursday 29 Mar 2001, 14:00 → 15:00 Europe/Zurich

TH Auditorium (CERN)

We use lattice techniques to calculate some continuum physical properties of D=3+1 SU(N) gauge theories for N < 6. We find that there appears to be a rapid approach to the large N limit, just as has been previously found for gauge theories in D=2+1. We also calculate the string tensions of the new stable strings in these larger groups. Our results are consistent with the M(-theory) QCD conjecture that the tension of a k-string goes as sin(k.pi/N); but they are also consistent with the very similar predictions of `Casimir scaling'. We have performed calculations in D=2+1 that are much more accurate, and these turn out to be close to, but exclude, the MQCD conjecture. We conclude with some observations on the fate of topological fluctuations as N increases.