String tension and Chern-Simons fluctuations in the vortex vacuum of d=3 gauge theory.

Based on a model of the d=3 SU(2) pure gauge theory vacuum as a monopole-vortex condensate, we give a quantitative (if model-dependent) estimate of the relation between the string tension and a gauge-invariant measure of the Chern-Simons susceptibility, due to vortex linkages, in the absence of a Chern-Simons term in the action. We also give relations among these quantities and the vacuum energy and gauge-boson mass. Both the susceptibility and the string tension come from the same physics: The topology of linking, twisting, and writhing of closed vortex strings. The closedvortex string is described via a complex scalar field theory whose action has a precisely-specified functional form, inferred from previous work giving the exact form of a gauge-theory effective potential at low momentum. Applications to high-T phenomena, including B+L anomalous violation, are mentioned. UCLA/95/TEP/36 October 1995 *Electronic address: [email protected] †Electronic address: [email protected]