Non-Abelian vortices and monopoles in SO(N) theories

Understand

Non-Abelian BPS vortex solutions are constructed in N=2 theories with gauge groups SO(N)\times U(1).

• The model has N_f flavors of chiral multiplets in the vector representation of SO(N), and we consider a color-flavor locked vacuum in which the gauge symmetry is completely broken, leaving a global SO(N)_{C+F} diagonal symmetry unbroken.
• Individual vortices break this symmetry, acquiring continuous non-Abelian orientational moduli.
• By embedding this model in high-energy theories with a hierarchical symmetry breaking pattern such as SO(N+2) --> SO(N)\times U(1) --> 1, the correspondence between non-Abelian monopoles and vortices can be established through homotopy maps and flux matching, generalizing the known results in SU(N) theories.