MASSIVE QUANTUM VORTEX EXCITATIONS IN A PURE GAUGE ABELIAN THEORY IN 2+1D

We introduce and study a pure gauge Abelian theory in 2+1D in which ma ssive quantum vortex states do exist in the spectrum of excitations. T his theory can be mapped in a three-dimensional gas of point particles with a logarithmic interaction, in the grand-canonical ensemble. We c laim that this theory is the 2 + 1D analog of the sine-Gordon, the mas sive vortices being the counterparts of sine-Gordon solitons. We show that a symmetry breaking, order parameter, similar to the vacuum expec tation value of a Higgs field does exist.