The Coulomb law in the pure gauge U(1) theory on a lattice

Abstract

We study the heavy charge potential in the Coulomb phase of pure gauge compact U(1) theory on the lattice. We calculate the static potential $V_W(T,\vec{R})$ from Wilson loops on a $16^3\times 32$ lattice and compare with the predictions of lattice perturbation theory. We investigate finite size effects and, in particular, the importance of non-Coulomb contributions to the potential. We also comment on the existence of a maximal coupling in the Coulomb phase of pure gauge U(1) theory.

14 pages. LaTeX file and 3 postscript figures