Confinement and the second vortex of the SU(4) gauge group

Abstract

We study the potential between static SU(4) sources using the Model of Thick Center Vortices. Such vortices are characterized by the center elements $z_1=\mathrm{i}$ and $z_2=z_1^2$. Fitting the ratios of string tensions to those obtained in Monte-Carlo calculations of lattice QCD we get $f_2>f_1^2$, where $f_n$ is the probability that a vortex of type $n$ is piercing a plaquette. Because of $z_2=z_1^2$ vortices of type two are overlapping vortices of type one. Therefore, $f_2>f_1^2$ corresponds to the existence of an attractive force between vortices of type one.