The step free-energy and the behaviour at the roughening transition of lattice gauge theories

J.M. Drouffe , J.M. Luck , J.B. Zuber

The step free-energy is the cost in free energy to create a single step in a planar Wilson loop. We compute it, per unit length, to eighth order in a strong coupling expansion of 3-D and 4-D Z2 gauge theories, and analyse its vanishing at the roughening transition. Our results are consistent with an essential singularity exp — C(tR - t)-1/2, expected from a relationship with the XY-model.

Mots clés: axiomatic field theory; free energy; gauge field theory

Domaines: Articles anciens

J.M. Drouffe, J.M. Luck, J.B. Zuber. The step free-energy and the behaviour at the roughening transition of lattice gauge theories. Journal de Physique, 1981, 42 (5), pp.653-656. ⟨10.1051/jphys:01981004205065300⟩. ⟨jpa-00209051⟩