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Published October 5, 1992 | Submitted
Journal Article Open

Quantum Field Theory of Nonabelian Strings and Vortices

Abstract

We develop an operator formalism for investigating the properties of non-abelian cosmic strings (and vortices) in quantum field theory. Operators are constructed that introduce classical string sources and that create dynamical string loops. The operator construction in lattice gauge theory is explicitly described, and correlation functions are computed in the strong-coupling and weak-coupling limits. These correlation functions are used to study the long-range interactions of non-abelian strings, taking account of charge-screening effects due to virtual particles. Among the phenomena investigated are the Aharonov-Bohm interactions of strings with charged particles, holonomy interactions between string loops, string entanglement, the transfer of "Cheshire charge" to a string loop, and domain-wall decay via spontaneous string nucleation. We also anayze the Aharonov-Bohm interactions of magnetic monopoles with electric flux tubes in a confining gauge theory. We propose that the Aharonov-Bohm effect can be invoked to distinguish among various phases of a non-abelian gauge theory coupled to matter.

Additional Information

© 1992 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. Received 6 January 1992. Accepted 15 May 1992. Available online 18 October 2002. We thank Hoi-Kwong Lo, and, especially, Martin Bucher, for helpful discussions. This work was supported by DOE grant DE-AC03-81-ER40050, and by NSF grants NSF-PHY-87-14654, NSF-PHY-90-21984 and NSF-PHY-89-04035. J.M.R. and M.G.A. wish to thank the Aspen Center for Physics and, especially, the Caltech Physics Department, for their hospitality during portions of this work.

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