Coherent states for SU(3)

We define coherent states for SU(3) using six bosonic creation and annihila tion operators. These coherent states are explicitly characterized by six c omplex numbers with constraints. For the completely symmetric representatio ns (n,0) and (0,m), only three of the bosonic operators are required. For m ixed representations (n,m), all six operators are required. The coherent st ates provide a resolution of identity, satisfy the continuity property, and possess a variety of group theoretic properties. We introduce an explicit parametrization of the group SU(3) and the corresponding integration measur e. Finally, we discuss the path integral formalism for a problem in which t he Hamiltonian is a function of SU(3) operators at each site. (C) 2001 Amer ican Institute of Physics.