EQUATION OF MOTION FOR STRING OPERATORS IN QUANTUM CHROMODYNAMICS

I derive from the quantum-chromodynamic Lagrangian differential laws discribing motions and interactions of an infinite set of string operators-locally gauge-invariant color-singlet operators. By truncating the set, I obtain a q-q̄ wave equation with a confinement potential, and also a jet-fragmentation equation which describes splitting of a q-q̄ string and creation of I=0 vector mesons. I argue for the validity of the perturbative treatment of the string operators. © 1979 The American Physical Society.