SU(2) gluodynamics and HP1 σ-model embedding:: Scaling, topology, and confinement -: art. no. 014512

We investigate recently proposed HP1 sigma-model embedding method aimed to study the topology of SU(2) gauge fields. The HP1 based topological charge is shown to be fairly compatible with various known definitions. We study the corresponding topological susceptibility and estimate its value in the continuum limit. The geometrical clarity of HP1 approach allows to investigate nonperturbative aspects of SU(2) gauge theory on a qualitatively new level. In particular, we obtain a numerically precise estimation of gluon condensate and its leading quadratic correction. Furthermore, we present clear evidences that the string tension is to be associated with global (percolating) regions of sign-coherent topological charge. As a by-product of our analysis we estimate the continuum value of quenched chiral condensate and the dimensionality of regions, which localize the lowest eigenmodes of overlap Dirac operator.