PLANAR YANG-MILLS THEORY - HAMILTONIAN, REGULATORS AND MASS GAP

We carry out the Hamiltonian analysis of non-Abelian gauge theories in (2 + 1) dimensions in a gauge-invariant matrix parametrization of the fields. A detailed discussion of regularization issues and the constr uction of the renormalized Laplace operator on the configuration space , which is proportional to the kinetic energy, are given. The origin o f the mass gap is analyzed and the lowest eigenstates of the kinetic e nergy are explicitly obtained; these have zero charge and exhibit a ma ss gap. The nature of the corrections due to the potential energy, the possibility of an improved perturbation theory and a Schrodinger-like equation for the states are also discussed. (C) 1998 Published by Els evier Science B.V.