Large-N string tension from rectangular Wilson loops

Abstract

In pure SU(N) gauge theory in four dimensions, we determine the string tension at large N from smeared rectangular Wilson loops on the lattice. We learn how well loops of sizes barely on the strong-coupling side of the large-N transition in their eigenvalue distribution can be described by effective string theory.

Comments: Contribution to the 30th International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, June 24-29, 2012, Cairns, Australia; 7 pages, 3 figures