  Scalar lattice gauge theories are models for scalar fields with local gauge
symmetries. No fundamental gauge fields, or link variables in a lattice
regularization, are introduced. The latter rather emerge as collective
excitations composed from scalars. For suitable parameters scalar lattice gauge
theories lead to confinement, with all continuum observables identical to usual
lattice gauge theories. These models or their fermionic counterpart may be
helpful for a realization of gauge theories by ultracold atoms. We conclude
that the gauge bosons of the standard model of particle physics can arise as
collective fields within models formulated for other "fundamental" degrees of
freedom.
