Monopoles and deconfinement transition in finite temperature $SU(2)$ QCD
  We investigate the role of monopoles in the deconfinement transition of finite temperature $SU(2)$ QCD in the maximally abelian gauge. In the confinement phase a long monopole loop exists in each configuration, whereas no long loop exists in the deep deconfinement region. Balancing of the energy and the entropy of loops of the maximally extended monopoles can explain the occurrence of the deconfinement transition. 
Shun-ichi Kitahara, Yoshimi Matsubara and Tsuneo Suzuki