Embedded vortices and their interactions at electroweak crossover

Abstract

We study properties of Z-vortices in the crossover region of the 3D SU(2) Higgs model. Correlators of the vortex currents with gauge field energy and Higgs field squared ("quantum vortex profile") reveal a structure that can be compared with a classical vortex. We define a core size and a penetration depth from the vortex profile. Z-vortices are found to interact with each other analogously to Abrikosov vortices in a type-I superconductor.

4 pages, 4 EPS figures, uses crckapb.sty and epsfig.sty. Presented at the workshop "Lattice fermions and structure of the vacuum", 5-9 Oct. 1999, Dubna, Russia