Can a Logarithmically Running Coupling Mimic a String Tension?

Abstract

It is shown that a Coulomb potential using a running coupling slightly modified from the perturbative form can produce an interquark potential that appears nearly linear over a large distance range. Recent high-statistics SU(2) lattice gauge theory data fit well to this potential without the need for a linear string-tension term. This calls into question the accuracy of string tension measurements which are based on the assumption of a constant coefficient for the Coulomb term. It also opens up the possibility of obtaining an effectively confining potential from gluon exchange alone.

Comments: 13 pages, LaTeX, two figures not included, available from author. revision - Line lengths fixed so it will tex properly