We study pure Yang--Mills theory on $Σ\times S^2$, where $Σ$ is a compact Riemann surface, and invariance is assumed under rotations of $S^2$. It is well known that the self-duality equations in this set-up reduce to vortex equations on $Σ$. If the Yang--Mills gauge group is $\SU{2}$, the Bogomolny vortex equations of the abelian Higgs model are obtained. For larger gauge groups one generally finds vortex equations involving several matrix-valued Higgs fields. Here we focus on Yang--Mills theory with gauge group $\SU{N}/\ZZ_N$ and a special reduction which yields only one non-abelian Higgs field. One of the new features of this reduction is the fact that while the instanton number of the theory in four dimensions is generally fractional with denominator $N$, we still obtain an integral vortex number in the reduced theory. We clarify the relation between these two topological charges at a bundle geometric level. Another striking feature is the emergence of non-trivial lower and upper bounds for the energy of the reduced theory on $Σ$. These bounds are proportional to the area of $Σ$. We give special solutions of the theory on $Σ$ by embedding solutions of the abelian Higgs model into the non-abelian theory, and we relate our work to the language of quiver bundles, which has recently proved fruitful in the study of dimensional reduction of Yang--Mills theory.
Many properties of the moduli space of abelian vortices on a compact Riemann surface are known. For non-abelian vortices the moduli space is less well understood. Here we consider non-abelian vortices on the Riemann sphere CP^1, and we study their moduli spaces near the Bradlow limit. We give an explicit description of the moduli space as a Kahler quotient of a finite-dimensional linear space. The dimensions of some of these moduli spaces are derived. Strikingly, there exist non-abelian vortex configurations on CP^1, with non-trivial vortex number, for which the moduli space is a point. This i…
Inspired by magnetic impurity considerations some broad classes of Abelian Higgs and Chern--Simons--Higgs BPS vortex equations are derived and analyzed.
The scattering is studied using moduli space metric for well-separated vortices of non-Abelian vortices in (2+1)-dimensional U(N) gauge theories with N Higgs fields in the fundamental representation. Unlike vortices in the Abelian-Higgs model, dynamics of non-Abelian vortices has a lot of new features; The kinetic energy in real space can be transfered to that of internal orientational moduli and vice versa, the energy and charge transfer between two vortices, the scattering angle of collisions with a fixed impact parameter depends on the internal orientations, and some resonances appear due t…
We determine the dimension of the moduli space of non-Abelian vortices in Yang-Mills-Chern-Simons-Higgs theory in 2+1 dimensions for gauge groups $G=({\rm U}(1)\times G')/\mathbb{Z}_{n_0}$ with $G'$ being an arbitrary semi-simple group and $n_0$ the greatest common divisor of the Abelian charges of the $G'$ invariants. The calculation is carried out using a Callias-type index theorem, the moduli matrix approach and a D-brane setup in Type IIB string theory. We prove that the index theorem gives the number of zeromodes or moduli of the non-Abelian vortices, extend the moduli matrix approach to …
We successfully exhaust the complete set of exact solutions of non-Abelian vortices in a quiver gauge theory, that is, the S[U(N) x U(N)] gauge theory with a bi-fudamental scalar field on a hyperbolic plane with a certain curvature, from SO(3)-invariant SU(2N) Yang-Mills instanton solutions. This work provides, for the first time, exact non-Abelian vortex solutions. We establish the ADHM construction for non-Abelian vortices and identify all the moduli parameters and the complete moduli space.
In this paper we prequantize the moduli space of non-abelian vortices. We explicitly calculate the symplectic form arising from the $L^2$ metric and we construct a prequantum line bundle whose curvature is proportional to this symplectic form. The prequantum line bundle turns out to be Quillen's determinant line bundle with a modified Quillen metric. Next, as in the case of abelian vortices, we construct Quillen line bundles over the moduli space whose curvatures form a family of symplectic forms which are parametrised by $Ψ_0$, a section of a certain bundle.
Vortices in supersymmetric gauge field theory are important constructs in a basic conceptual phenomenon commonly referred to as the dual Meissner effect which is responsible for color confinement. Based on a direct minimization approach, we present a series of sharp existence and uniqueness theorems for the solutions of some non-Abelian vortex equations governing color-charged multiply distributed flux tubes, which provide an essential mechanism for linear confinement. Over a doubly periodic domain, existence results are obtained under explicitly stated necessary and sufficient conditions that…
We study the Abelian Higgs vortex solutions to the sinh-Gordon equation and the elliptic Tzitzeica equation. Starting from these particular vortices, we construct solutions to the Taubes equation with higher vortex number, on surfaces with conical singularities. We then, analyse more general properties of vortices on such singular surfaces and propose a method to obtain vortices on conifolds from vortices on surfaces of revolution. We apply our method to construct explicit vortex solutions on the Poincaré disk with a conical singularity in the centre, to which we refer as the "hyperbolic cone"…
Recent development on non-Abeliann vortices and monopoles is reviewed with an emphasis on their relevance on confinement and duality. A very recent construction of non-Abelian vortices which do not dynamically Abelianize is crucial in this context.
Interactions between non-BPS non-Abelian vortices are studied in non-Abelian U(1) x SU(N) extensions of the Abelian-Higgs model in four dimensions. In addition to the usual type I/II Abelian superconductors, we find other two new regimes: type I*/II*.
Various aspects including the construction and the symmetries of Abelian Chern-Simons vortices are reviewed. Extended version of the Lectures delivered at NIKHEF (Amsterdam), July 2006. Typos corrected, some refernces added.
We study the interactions of non-abelian vortices in two spatial dimensions. These interactions have novel features, because the Aharonov-Bohm effect enables a pair of vortices to exchange quantum numbers. The cross section for vortex-vortex scattering is typically a multi-valued function of the scattering angle. There can be an exchange contribution to the vortex-vortex scattering amplitude that adds coherently with the direct amplitude, even if the two vortices have distinct quantum numbers. Thus two vortices can be ``indistinguishable'' even though they are not the same.
After briefly reviewing the problems associated with non-Abelian monopoles, we turn our attention to the development in our understanding of non-Abelian {\it vortices} in the last several years. In the U(N) model with $N_{f}=N$ flavors in which they were first found, the fluctuations of the orientational modes along the vortex length and in time become strongly coupled at long distances. They effectively reduce to Abelian ANO vortices. We discuss then a very recent work on non-Abelian vortices with $CP^{n-1}\times CP^{r-1}$ orientational moduli, which, unlike the ones so far extensively studie…
We discuss some of the latest results concerning the non-Abelian vortices. The first concerns the construction of non-Abelian BPS vortices based on general gauge groups of the form G= G' x U(1). In particular detailed results about the vortex moduli space have been obtained for G'=SO(N) or USp(2N). The second result is about the "fractional vortices", i.e., vortices of the minimum winding but having substructures in the tension (or flux) density in the transverse plane. Thirdly, we discuss briefly the monopole-vortex complex.
We find, by an appropriate extension of the standard holographic superconductor setup, static bulk solutions which describe holographic duals to non-Abelian vortices. In the core of these vortices a scalar field condenses, breaking a non-Abelian global symmetry which leads to additional zero modes called orientational moduli. These moduli appear in the bulk as Goldstone bosons associated to the condensation of a neutral scalar field.
We investigate vortices on a cylinder in supersymmetric non-Abelian gauge theory with hypermultiplets in the fundamental representation. We identify moduli space of periodic vortices and find that a pair of wall-like objects appears as the vortex moduli is varied. Usual domain walls also can be obtained from the single vortex on the cylinder by introducing a twisted boundary condition. We can understand these phenomena as a T-duality among D-brane configurations in type II superstring theories. Using this T-duality picture, we find a one-to-one correspondence between the moduli space of non-Ab…
We compute the Euler characteristics of the moduli spaces of abelian vortices on curves with nodal and cuspidal singularities. This generalizes our previous work where only nodes were taken into account. The result we obtain is again consistent with the expected reconciliation between the vortex picture of D2-D0 branes and the proposal by Gopakumar and Vafa.
It is shown that both the sinh--Gordon equation and the elliptic Tzitzeica equation can be interpreted as the Taubes equation for Abelian vortices on a CMC surface embedded in $\R^{2, 1}$, or on a surface conformally related to a hyperbolic affine sphere in $\R^3$. In both cases the Higgs field and the U(1) vortex connection are constructed directly from the Riemannian data of the surface corresponding to the sinh--Gordon or the Tzitzeica equation. Radially symmetric solutions lead to vortices with a topological charge equal to one, and the connection formulae for the resulting third Painlevé …
We find chiral non-Abelian vortices having windings only in one of the diquark condensations of left-handed and right-handed quarks in the color-flavor locked phase of dense QCD. They are the minimum vortices carrying half color magnetic fluxes of those of non-Abelian semi-superfluid vortices (color magnetic flux tubes) and 1/6 quantized superfluid circulations of Abelian superfluid vortices. These vortices carry ${\mathbb C}P^2$ orientational moduli in the internal space corresponding to their fluxes. The ${\mathbb C}P^2$ moduli of two chiral non-Abelian vortices with chiralities opposite to …
We propose a novel and simple method to compute the partition function of statistical mechanics of local and semi-local BPS vortices in the Abelian-Higgs model and its non-Abelian extension on a torus. We use a D-brane realization of the vortices and T-duality relation to domain walls. We there use a special limit where domain walls reduce to gas of hard (soft) one-dimensional rods for Abelian (non-Abelian) cases. In the simpler cases of the Abelian-Higgs model on a torus, our results agree with exact results which are geometrically derived by an explicit integration over the moduli space of v…
The moduli space metric and its Kahler potential for well-separated non-Abelian vortices are obtained in U(N) gauge theories with N Higgs fields in the fundamental representation.
Fermionic zero modes around non-abelian vortices are shown that they constitute two $N=2$, $d=1$ supersymmetric quantum mechanics algebras. These two algebras can be combined under certain circumstances to form a central charge extended $N=4$ supersymmetric quantum algebra. We thoroughly discuss the implications of the existence of supersymmetric quantum mechanics algebras, in the quantum Hilbert space of the fermionic zero modes.
Vortices carrying truly non-Abelian flux moduli, which do not dynamically reduce to Abelian vortices, are found in the context of softly-broken ${\cal N}=2$ supersymmetric chromodynamics (SQCD). By tuning the bare quark masses appropriately we identify the vacuum in which the underlying SU(N) gauge group is partially broken to $SU(n) \times SU(r) \times U(1)/{\mathbbm Z}_{K}$, where $K$ is the least common multiple of $(n, r)$, and with $N_{f}^{su(n)}=n$ and $N_{f}^{su(r)}=r$ flavors of light quark multiplets. At much lower energies the gauge group is broken completely by the squark VEVs, and …
In this Letter we present new, genuinely non-Abelian vortex solutions in SU(2) Yang-Mills--Higgs theory with only one {\it isovector} scalar field. These non-Abelian solutions branch off their Abelian counterparts (Abrikosov-Nielsen-Olesen vortices) for precise values of the Higgs potential coupling constant $λ$. For all values of $λ$, their energies lie below those of the Abelian energy profiles, the latter being logarithmically divergent as $λ\to\infty$. The non-Abelian branches plateau in the limit $λ\to\infty$ and their number increases with $λ$, this number becoming infinite. For each vor…
We study periodic arrays of non-Abelian vortices in an $SU(N) \times U(1)$ gauge theory with $N_f$ flavors of fundamental matter multiplets. We carefully discuss the corresponding twisted boundary conditions on the torus and propose an ansatz to solve the first order Bogomolnyi equations which we find by looking to a bound of the energy. We solve the equations numerically and construct explicit vortex solutions.
We extend our previous analysis on the exchange statistics of vortices having a single Dirac fermion trapped in each core, to the case where vortices trap two Dirac fermions with U(2) symmetry. Such a system of vortices with non-Abelian Dirac fermions appears in color superconductors at extremely high densities, and in supersymmetric QCD. We show that the exchange of two vortices having doublet Dirac fermions in each core is expressed by non-Abelian representations of a braid group, which is explicitly verified in the matrix representation of the exchange operators when the number of vortices …
The magnetic order of the triangular lattice with antiferromagnetic interactions is described by an SO(3) field and allows for the presence of Z2 magnetic vortices as defects. In this work we show how these Z2 vortices can be fitted into a local SU(2) gauge theory. We propose simple Ansatzes for vortex configurations and calculate their energies using well-known results of the Abelian gauge model. We comment on how Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions could be derived from a non-Abelian gauge theory and speculate on their effect on non trivial configurations.
We investigate the collision dynamics of two non-Abelian vortices and find that, unlike Abelian vortices, they neither reconnect themselves nor pass through each other, but create a rung between them in a topologically stable manner. Our predictions are verified using the model of the cyclic phase of a spin-2 spinor Bose-Einstein condensate.
We calculate the Kähler potential for the Samols metric on the moduli space of Abelian Higgs vortices on $\mathbbm{R}^{2}$, in two different ways. The first uses a scaling argument. The second is related to the Polyakov conjecture in Liouville field theory. The Kähler potential on the moduli space of vortices on $\mathbbm{H}^{2}$ is also derived, and we are led to a geometrical reinterpretation of these vortices. Finally, we attempt to find the Kähler potential for vortices on $\mathbbm{R}^{2}$ in a third way by relating the vortices to SU(2) Yang-Mills instantons on $\mathbbm{R}^{2}\times S^{…
By gauging a higher-moment polynomial degree global symmetry and a discrete charge conjugation (i.e., particle-hole) symmetry coupled to matter fields (two symmetries mutually non-commutative), we derive a new class of higher-rank tensor non-abelian gauge field theory with dynamically gauged fractonic matter fields: Non-abelian gauged fractons interact with a hybrid class of higher-rank (symmetric or generic non-symmetric) tensor gauge theory and anti-symmetric tensor topological field theory, generalizing [arXiv:1909.13879, 1911.01804]. We also apply a quantum phase transition similar to that…
We consider a generalization of abelian Chern-Simons-Higgs model by introducing a nonstandard kinetic term. In particular we show that the Bogomolnyi equations of the abelian Higgs theory may be obtained, being its solutions Nielsen-Olesen vortices with electric charge. In addition we study the self-duality equations for a generalized non-relativistic Maxwell-Chern-Simons model.
Topological superconductors classified as type D admit zero-energy Majorana fermions inside vortex cores, and consequently the exchange statistics of vortices becomes non-Abelian, giving a promising example of non-Abelian anyons. On the other hand, types C and DIII admit zero-energy Dirac fermions inside vortex cores. It has been long believed that an essential condition for the realization of non-Abelian statistics is non-locality of Dirac fermions made of two Majorana fermions trapped inside two well-separated vortices as in the case of type D. Contrary to this conventional wisdom, however, …
The vortex solutions of various classical planar field theories with (Abelian) Chern-Simons term are reviewed. Relativistic vortices, put forward by Paul and Khare, arise when the Abelian Higgs model is augmented with the Chern-Simons term. Adding a suitable sixth-order potential and turning off the Maxwell term provides us with pure Chern-Simons theory with both topological and non-topological self-dual vortices, as found by Hong-Kim-Pac, and by Jackiw-Lee-Weinberg. The non-relativistic limit of the latter leads to non-topological Jackiw-Pi vortices with a pure fourth-order potential. Explici…
We study a recently developed product Abelian gauge field theory by Tong and Wong hosting magnetic impurities. We first obtain a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of a unique solution realizing such impurities in the form of multiple vortices. We next reformulate the theory into an extended model that allows the coexistence of vortices and anti-vortices. The two Abelian gauge fields in the model induce two species of magnetic vortex-lines resulting from $N_s$ vortices and $P_s$ anti-vortices ($s=1,2$) realized as the zeros and poles of two complex-valued Higgs fields, respec…
Non-Abelian vortices are topologically stable objects in the color-flavor locked (CFL) phase of dense QCD. We derive a dual Lagrangian starting with the Ginzburg-Landau effective Lagrangian for the CFL phase, and obtain topological interactions of non-Abelian vortices with quasiparticles such as $U(1)_B$ Nambu-Goldstone bosons (phonons) and massive gluons. We find that the phonons couple to the translational zero modes of the vortices while the gluons couple to their orientational zero modes in the internal space.
We study non-Abelian Chern-Simon BPS-saturated vortices enjoying N=2 supersymmetry in d=2+1 dimensions, with generic gauge groups of the form U(1) x G', with G' being a simple group, allowing for orientational modes in the solutions. We will keep the group as general as possible and utilizing the powerful moduli matrix formalism to provide the moduli spaces of vortices and derive the corresponding master equations. Furthermore, we study numerically the vortices applying a radial Ansatz to solve the obtained master equations and we find especially a splitting of the magnetic fields, when the co…
We study domain walls and vortices in chiral symmetry breaking in a QCD-like theory with N flavors in the chiral limit. If the axial anomaly is absent, there exist stable Abelian axial vortices winding around the spontaneously broken U(1)_A symmetry and non-Abelian axial vortices winding around both the U(1)_A and non-Abelian SU(N) chiral symmetries. In the presence of the axial anomaly term, metastable domain walls are present and Abelian axial vortices must be attached by N domain walls, forming domain wall junctions. We show that a domain wall junction decays into N non-Abelian vortices att…
We construct exact wavefunctions of two vortices on a plane, a single vortex on the cylinder and a vortex on the torus. In each case, the physics is shown to be equivalent to a particle moving in a covering space, something simple to solve in those examples. We describe how our solutions fit into the general theory of quantum mechanics of $N$ particles on a two-dimensional space and attribute our success to the fact that the fundamental groups are Abelian in those simple cases that we are considering.
Non-Abelian BPS vortex solutions are constructed in N=2 theories with gauge groups SO(N)\times U(1). The model has N_f flavors of chiral multiplets in the vector representation of SO(N), and we consider a color-flavor locked vacuum in which the gauge symmetry is completely broken, leaving a global SO(N)_{C+F} diagonal symmetry unbroken. Individual vortices break this symmetry, acquiring continuous non-Abelian orientational moduli. By embedding this model in high-energy theories with a hierarchical symmetry breaking pattern such as SO(N+2) --> SO(N)\times U(1) --> 1, the correspondence between …
In this brief report we consider a non-local Abelian Higgs model in the presence of a neutralizing uniform background charge. We show that such a system possesses vortices which key feature is a strong radial electric field. We estimate the basic properties of such an object and characteristic length scales in this model.
We show that Abelian Higgs Models with dielectric function defined on the noncommutative plane enjoy self-dual vorticial solutions. By choosing a particular form of the dielectric function, we provide a family of solutions whose Higgs and magnetic fields interpolate between the profiles of the noncommutative Nielsen-Olesen and Chern-Simons vortices. This is done both for the usual $U(1)$ model and for the $SU(2)\times U(1)$ semilocal model with a doublet of complex scalar fields. The variety of known noncommutative self-dual vortices which display a regular behaviour when the noncommutativity …
We construct a low-energy effective theory describing non-Abelian vortices in the color superconducting quark matter under stress. We demonstrate that all the vortices are radically unstable against decay into the only one type of vortices due to the potential term induced by the explicit flavor symmetry breaking by the strange quark mass. A simple analytical estimate for the lifetime of unstable vortices is provided under the controlled weak-coupling calculations. We briefly discuss the (non)existence of magnetic monopoles at high density.
We construct the general vortex solution in a fully-Higgsed, color-flavor locked vacuum of a non-Abelian gauge theory, where the gauge group is taken to be the product of an arbitrary simple group and U(1), with a Fayet-Iliopoulos term. The strict correspondence between vortices and lumps in the associated Non-Linear Sigma-Model which arise in the limit of strong coupling is pointed out. The construction of the vortex moduli space is derived here as a consequence of this correspondence.
We construct the general vortex solution in the fully-Higgsed, color-flavor locked vacuum of a non-Abelian gauge theory, where the gauge group is taken to be the product of an arbitrary simple group and U(1), with a Fayet-Iliopoulos term. The vortex moduli space is determined.
A particular dimensional reduction of SU(2N) Yang--Mills theory on $Σ\times S^2$, with $Σ$ a Riemann surface, yields an $S(U(N) \times U(N))$ gauge theory on $Σ$, with a matrix Higgs field. The SU(2N) self-dual Yang--Mills equations reduce to Bogomolny equations for vortices on $Σ$. These equations are formally integrable if $Σ$ is the hyperbolic plane, and we present a subclass of solutions.
We continue the study of $U(1)$ vortices with cholesteric vacuum structure. A new class of solutions is found which represent global vortices of the internal spin field. These spin vortices are characterized by a non-vanishing angular dependence at spatial infinity, or winding. We show that despite the topological $\mathbb{Z}_2$ behavior of $SO(3)$ windings, the topological charge of the spin vortices is of the $\mathbb{Z}$ type in the cholesteric. We find these solutions numerically and discuss the properties derived from their low energy effective field theory in $1+1$ dimensions.
The Abelian Chern-Simons Gauge Field Theory in 2+1 dimensions and its relation with holomorphic Burgers' Hierarchy is considered. It is shown that the relation between complex potential and the complex gauge field as in incompressible and irrotational hydrodynamics, has meaning of the analytic Cole-Hopf transformation, linearizing the Burgers Hierarchy in terms of the holomorphic Schrödinger Hierarchy. Then the motion of planar vortices in Chern-Simons theory, appearing as pole singularities of the gauge field, corresponds to motion of zeroes of the hierarchy. Using boost transformations of th…
We study topologically stable non-Abelian global vortices in the U(N) linear sigma model. The profile functions of the solutions are numerically obtained. We investigate the behaviour of vortices in two limits in which masses of traceless or trace parts of massive bosons are much larger than the others. In the limit that the traceless parts are much heavier, we find a somewhat bizarre vortex solution carrying a non-integer U(1) winding number 1/\sqrt{N} which is irrational in general.
Non-Abelian vortices in six spacetime dimensions are obtained for a supersymmetric U(N) gauge theory with N hypermultiplets in the fundamental representation. Massless (moduli) fields are identified and classified into Nambu-Goldstone and quasi-Nambu-Goldstone fields. Effective gauge theories for the moduli fields are constructed on the four-dimensional world volume of vortices. A systematic method to obtain the most general form of the effective Lagrangian consistent with symmetry is proposed. The moduli space for the multi-vortices is found to be a vector bundle over the complex Grassmann ma…
We study three-dimensional Yang-Mills-Higgs theories with and without a Chern-Simons interaction. We find that these theories admit a rich spectrum of vortex solitons carrying both a topological charge and a global flavour charge. We further derive a low-energy description of the vortex dynamics from a gauged linear sigma model on the vortex worldline.
Interactions between non-BPS non-Abelian vortices are studied in non-Abelian U(1) x SU(N) extensions of the Abelian-Higgs model in four dimensions. The distinctive feature of a non-Abelian vortex is the presence of an internal CP^{N-1} space of orientational degrees of freedom. For fine-tuned values of the couplings, the vortices are BPS and there is no net force between two static parallel vortices at arbitrary distance. On the other hand, for generic values of the couplings the interactions between two vortices depend non-trivially on their relative internal orientations. We discuss the prob…
