More on the SU(2) deconfinement transition in the mixed action

Abstract

We examine certain issues related to the universality of the SU(2) lattice gauge theory at nonzero temperatures. Using Monte Carlo simulations and strong coupling expansions, we study the behavior of the deconfinement transition in an extended coupling plane (β,β_A) around the tricritical point where the deconfinement transition changes from second to first order. Our numerical results on N_τ =2,4,6,8 lattices show that the tricritical point first moves down towards the Wilson axis and then moves slowly upwards, if at all, as the lattice spacing is reduced. Lattices with very large N_τ seem to be, therefore, necessary for the mixed action to exhibit the critical exponents of the three-dimensional Ising model for positive values of the adjoint coupling.