Compact three-dimensional QED: A simple example of a variational calculation in a gauge theory
- 15 February 1995
- journal article
- Published by American Physical Society (APS) in Physical Review D
- Vol. 51 (4) , 1948-1955
- https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevd.51.1948
Abstract
We apply a simple mean-field-like variational calculation to compact QED in 2+1 dimensions. Our variational ansatz explicitly preserves the compact gauge invariance of the theory. We reproduce in this framework all the known results, including dynamical mass generation, Polyakov scaling, and the nonzero string tension. It is hoped that this simple example can be a useful reference point for applying similar approximation techniques to non-Abelian gauge theories.Keywords
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