On the phase structure of five-dimensional SU(2) gauge theories with anisotropic couplings

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The phase diagram of five-dimensional SU(2) gauge theories is explored using Monte Carlo simulations of the theory discretized on a Euclidean lattice using the Wilson plaquette action and periodic boundary conditions. We simulate anisotropic gauge couplings which correspond to different lattice spacings a₄ in the four dimensions and a₅ along the extra dimension. In particular we study the case where a₅>a₄. We identify a line of first order phase transitions which separate the confined from the deconfined phase. We perform simulations in large volume at the bulk phase transition staying in the confined vacuum. The static potential measured in the hyperplanes orthogonal to the extra dimension hint at dimensional reduction. We also locate and analyze second order phase transitions related to breaking of the center along one direction.