Monte Carlo evaluation of the interquark potential

Abstract

The values of Wilson loops measured in Monte Carlo simulations of SU(2) lattice gauge theories are used to calculate the interquark potential over a wide range of $q\overline{q}$ separation. Perturbation theory is used to predict the ratio between ${\Lambda }_{\mathrm{pot}}$, the scale characterizing the short-distance behavior of the potential, and the lattice parameter ${\Lambda }_0$. The value of ${\Lambda }_{\mathrm{pot}}$ determined from lattice measurements is found to be in excellent agreement with the prediction.