Modified SO(3) Lattice Gauge Theory at non zero T with Parallel Tempering: Monopole and Vortex Condensation

The deconfinement transition is studied close to the continuum limit of SO(3) lattice gauge theory. High barriers for tunnelling among different twist sectors causing loss of ergodicity for local update algorithms are circumvented by means of parallel tempering. We compute monopole and center vortex free energies both within the confining phase and through the deconfinement transition. We discuss in detail the general problem of defining order parameters for adjoint actions.