Deconfinement transition and monopoles in $T\neq0$ $SU(2)$ QCD
  The role of monopoles in the deconfinement transition is discussed in the framework of abelian projection in the maximally abelian gauge in $T\neq0$ $SU(2)$ QCD. Only one (or a few near $\beta_c$) long connected monopole loop exists uniformly through the whole lattice in each vacuum configuration in addition to some very short loops in the confinement phase and the long loop disappears in the deep deconfinement region. Energy-entropy balance of the long loops of maximally extended monopoles explains the existence of the deconfinement transition and reproduces roughly the value of the critical temperature. 
Shun-ichi Kitahara, Yoshimi Matsubara and Tsuneo Suzuki