Strong coupling model for string breaking on the lattice

A model for SU(n) string breaking on the lattice is formulated using strong coupling ideas. Although necessarily rather crude, the model gives an explicit picture of string breaking in the presence of dynamical quarks as a mixing phenomenon that involves the string state and a two-meson state. A careful analysis, within the model, of the Wilson loop shows that the evolution of the mixing angle as a function of separation may obscure the expected crossover effect. Lf a sufficiently extensive mixing region exists then an appropriate combination of transition amplitudes can help in revealing the effect. The sensitivity of the mixing region to the values of the meson energy and the dynamical quark mass is explored and an assessment made of the detectibility of string breaking in a practical lattice simulation. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.