Lattice QCD-2+1

Abstract

We consider a 2+1-dimensional SU(N) lattice gauge theory in an axial gauge with the link field U in the 1-direction set to one. The term in the Hamiltonian containing the square of the electric field in the 1-direction is non-local. Despite this non-locality, we show that weak-coupling perturbation theory in this term gives a finite vacuum-energy density to second order, and suggest that this property holds to all orders. Heavy quarks are confined, the spectrum is gapped, and the space-like Wilson loop has area decay.

Still Latex, 18 pages, no figures, with some further typographical errors corrected. Version to appear in Phys. Rev. D