FLUX TUBES AND CONFINEMENT IN THE SElBERG-WITTEN THEORY: LESSONS FOR QCD

The confinement scenario in N = 2 supersymmetric gauge theory at the monopole point is reviewed. Basic features of this U(1) confinement are contrasted with those we expect in QCD. In particular, extra states in the hadron spectrum and non-linear Regge trajectories are discussed. Then another confinement scenario arising on Higgs branches of the theory with fundamental matter is also reviewed. Peculiar properties of the Abrikosov–Nielsen–Olesen flux tubes on the Higgs branch lead to a new confining regime with the logarithmic suppression of the linear rising potential. Motivations for a search for tensionless strings (flux tubes) are proposed.