Gauge-invariant Mass Terms and Wave Functions

TL;DR

This paper presents a method linking the quantum effective action and ground state wave function, introduces a gauge-invariant mass term, and derives the leading terms of the 3d-covariant quantum effective action for 3D Yang-Mills theory.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to relate the effective action and wave function, incorporating a gauge-invariant mass term for Yang-Mills theory in three dimensions.

Findings

Derived leading terms of the 3d-covariant quantum effective action.

Discussed features of the effective action in Yang-Mills theory.

Established a method connecting the ground state wave function and effective action.

Abstract

We outline a method of relating the quantum effective action and the ground state wave function of a field theory. This method, along with a gauge-invariant mass term and the previously obtained vacuum wave function, is used to arrive at the leading terms of the 3d-covariant quantum effective action for the Yang-Mills theory in three (or 2+1) dimensions. Some features of this effective action are also discussed.