The Hamiltonian Approach to Yang-Mills (2+1): An Expansion Scheme and Corrections to String Tension

We carry out further analysis of the Hamiltonian approach to Yang-Mills theory in 2+1 dimensions which helps to place the calculation of the vacuum wave function and the string tension in the context of a systematic expansion scheme. The solution of the Schrodinger equation is carried out recursively. The computation of correlators is re-expressed in terms of a two-dimensional chiral boson theory. The effective action for this theory is calculated to first order in our expansion scheme and to the fourth order in a kinematic expansion parameter. The resulting corrections to the string tension are shown to be very small, in the range -0.3% to -2.8%, moving our prediction closer to the recent lattice estimates.Comment: 33 pages, 10 figure

On the deconfining limit in (2+1)-dimensional Yang-Mills theory

We consider (2+1)-dimensional Yang-Mills theory on $S^1 \times S^1 \times {\bf R}$ in the framework of a Hamiltonian approach developed by Karabali, Kim and Nair. The deconfining limit in the theory can be discussed in terms of one of the $S^1$ radii of the torus ($S^1 \times S^1$), while the other radius goes to infinity. We find that the limit agrees with the previously known result for a dynamical propagator mass of a gluon. We also make comparisons with numerical data.Comment: 21 pages; v2. lattice data references updated, comparative statements revised; v3. minor corrections; v4. section 6 extended, published versio

Gauge invariant variables and the Yang-Mills-Chern-Simons theory

A Hamiltonian analysis of Yang-Mills (YM) theory in (2+1) dimensions with a level $k$ Chern-Simons term is carried out using a gauge invariant matrix parametrization of the potentials. The gauge boson states are constructed and the contribution of the dynamical mass gap to the gauge boson mass is obtained. Long distance properties of vacuum expectation values are related to a Euclidean two-dimensional YM theory coupled to $k$ flavors of Dirac fermions in the fundamental representation. We also discuss the expectation value of the Wilson loop operator and give a comparison with previous results.Comment: 20 pages, Plain Te

Bosonization of the lowest Landau level in arbitrary dimensions: edge and bulk dynamics

We discuss the bosonization of nonrelativistic fermions interacting with non-Abelian gauge fields in the lowest Landau level in the framework of higher dimensional quantum Hall effect. The bosonic action is a one-dimensional matrix action, which can also be written as a noncommutative field theory, invariant under $W_N$ transformations. The requirement that the usual gauge transformation should be realized as a $W_N$ transformation provides an analog of a Seiberg-Witten map, which allows us to express the action purely in terms of bosonic fields. The semiclassical limit of this, describing the gauge interactions of a higher dimensional, non-Abelian quantum Hall droplet, produces a bulk Chern-Simons type term whose anomaly is exactly cancelled by a boundary term given in terms of a gauged Wess-Zumino-Witten action.Comment: 29 pages ; typos corrected, two references adde

Yang-Mills theory in (2+1) dimensions: a short review

The analysis of (2+1)-dimensional Yang-Mills ($YM_{2+1})$ theory via the use of gauge-invariant matrix variables is reviewed. The vacuum wavefunction, string tension, the propagator mass for gluons, its relation to the magnetic mass for $YM_{3+1}$ at nonzero temperature and the extension of our analysis to the Yang-Mills-Chern-Simons theory are discussed.Comment: 14 pages, Talk at Lightcone Workshop, Trento, 2001, to appear in Nucl.Phys.(Proc.

On the origin of the mass gap for non-Abelian gauge theories in (2+1) dimensions

An analysis of how the mass gap could arise in pure Yang-Mills theories in two spatial dimensions is givenComment: 10 pages, plain Te

Yang-Mills Theory in 2+1 Dimensions: Coupling of Matter Fields and String-breaking Effects

We explore further the Hamiltonian formulation of Yang-Mills theory in 2+1 dimensions in terms of gauge-invariant matrix variables. Coupling to scalar matter fields is discussed in terms of gauge-invariant fields. We analyze how the screening of adjoint (and other screenable) representations can arise in this formalism. A Schrodinger equation is then derived for the gluelump states which are the daughter states when an adjoint string breaks. A variational solution of this Schrodinger equation leads to an analytic estimate of the string-breaking energy which is within 8.8% of the latest lattice estimates.Comment: 31 pages, 1 figure, minor comments, references added, final version to appear in Nucl.Phys.