  For SU(3) lattice gauge theory we study properties of static quark sources
represented by local Polyakov loops. We find that for temperatures both below
and above T_c coherent domains exist where the phases of the local loops have
similar values in the vicinity of the center values 0, +/- 2 pi/3. The cluster
properties of these domains are studied numerically. We demonstrate that the
deconfinement transition of SU(3) may be characterized by the percolation of
suitably defined clusters.

High Energy Physics - Lattice;Statistical Mechanics;High Energy Physics - Phenomenology;High Energy Physics - Theory