COMPACT 3-DIMENSIONAL QED - A SIMPLE EXAMPLE OF A VARIATIONAL CALCULATION IN A GAUGE-THEORY

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. © 1995 The American Physical Society.