Gauge and matter fields as surfaces and loops - an exploratory lattice study of the Z(3) Gauge-Higgs model

Understand

We discuss a representation of the Z(3) Gauge-Higgs lattice field theory at finite density in terms of dual variables, i.e., loops of flux and surfaces.

• In the dual representation the complex action problem of the conventional formulation is resolved and Monte Carlo simulations at arbitrary chemical potential become possible.
• A suitable algorithm based on plaquette occupation numbers and link-fluxes is introduced and we analyze the model at zero temperature and finite density both in the weak and strong coupling phases.
• We show that at zero temperature the model has different first order phase transitions as a function of the chemical potential both for the weak and strong coupling phases.