Abstract
We develop a Hamiltonian formalism for Z(N) lattice gauge theories. Duality is expressed by algebraic operator relations which are the analog of the interchange of electric and magnetic fields in D=3 space dimensions. In D=2 duality is used to solve the gauge condition. This leads to a generalized Ising Hamiltonian. In D=3 our theory is self-dual. For N→ the theory turns into "periodic QED" in appropriate limits. This leads us to propose the existence of three phases for N>Nc6. Their physical properties can be classified as electric-confining, nonconfining, and magnetic-confining.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 3715-3731 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| Journal | Physical Review D |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue number | 12 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1979 |