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arXiv · hep-th/0112215

Topology of Center Vortices

H. Reinhardt
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Abstract

The topology of center vortices is studied. For this purpose it is sufficient to consider mathematically idealised vortices, defined in a gauge invariant way as closed (infinitely thin) flux surfaces (in D=4 dimensions) which contribute the n'th power of a non-trivial center element to Wilson loops when they are n-foldly linked to the latter. In ordinary 3-space generic center vortices represent closed magnetic flux loops which evolve in time. I show that the topological charge of such a time-dependent vortex loop can be entirely expressed by the temporal changes of its writhing number.

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H. Reinhardt. 2001-12-21. Topology of Center Vortices. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0550-3213(02)00130-x

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