Gluon propagator and zero-momentum modes in SU(2) lattice gauge theory

We investigate propagators in Lorentz (or Landau) gauge by Monte Carlo simulations. In order to be able to compare with perturbative calculations we use large $\beta$ values. There the breaking of the Z(2) symmetry turns out to be important for all of the four lattice directions. Therefore we make sure that the analysis is performed in the correct state. We discus implications of the gauge fixing mechanism and point out the form of the weak-coupling behavior to be expected in the presence of zero-momentum modes. Our numerical result is that the gluon propagator in the weak-coupling limit is strongly affected by zero-momentum modes. This is corroborated in detail by our quantitative comparison with analytical calculations.