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arXiv · hep-th/0204194

Topology of Center Vortices

H. Reinhardt
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Abstract

In this talk I study the topology of mathematically idealised center 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. 2002-04-23. Topology of Center Vortices. https://doi.org/10.1142/9789812704269_0019

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