A New Quantum Vortex Operator and Its Correlation Functions

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel gauge-invariant quantum vortex operator in 3D gauge theories, computes its correlation functions exactly in Maxwell theory and approximately in the Abelian Higgs model, and derives vortex mass in the broken phase.

Contribution

It constructs a new local gauge-invariant quantum vortex operator and provides exact and approximate correlation function evaluations, including vortex mass calculation.

Findings

Exact correlation functions in Maxwell theory

Loop expansion results in Abelian Higgs model

Explicit vortex mass in broken phase

Abstract

A new local and gauge invariant quantum vortex operator is constructed in three-dimensional gauge field theories. The correlation functions of this operator are evaluated exactly in pure Maxwell theory and by means of a loop expansion in the Abelian Higgs model. In the broken symmetry phase of the latter an explicit expression for the mass of the quantum vortices is obtained from the long distance exponential decay of the two-point function.