Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
Quark confinement in a finite-temperature SU (N) gauge theory is formulated as the realization of a global Z₍ symmetry. Spontaneous breakdown corresponds to a transition to a nonconfining, plasma phase. The free energy of a single quark is an order parameter which probes the phase structure, and it may be calculated in the Euclidean theory in terms of a "Wilson line" running the length of the system along the (periodic) time axis. We present results of a Monte Carlo calculation in the SU (2) lattice theory which confirm the transition at a critical temperature computed in terms of the zero-temperature string tension; data for the quark-antiquark potential are presented as well. We discuss the implications of the finite-temperature transition for efforts to calculate zero-temperature quantities on finite-size lattices. Finally, we note that restoration of Z₍ symmetry as the temperature is lowered may be understood as a condensation of instantons and other topological objects.
McLerran et al. (Wed,) studied this question.