The string tension in the maximally Abelian gauge after smoothing.

Abstract We apply smoothing to SU(2) lattice field configurations in 3+1 dimensions before fixing to the maximally Abelian gauge. The Abelian projected string tension is shown to be stable under this, whilst the monopole string tension declines by O (30%). Blocking of the SU(2) fields reduces this effect, but the use of extended monopole definitions does not. We discuss these results in the context of additional confining excitations in the U(1) vacuum.