Loop Approach to Lattice Gauge Theories

Abstract

We solve the Gauss law and the corresponding Mandelstam constraints in the loop Hilbert space ${\cal H}^{L}$ using the prepotential formulation of $(d+1)$ dimensional SU(2) lattice gauge theory. The resulting orthonormal and complete loop basis, explicitly constructed in terms of the $d(2d-1)$ prepotential intertwining operators, is used to transcribe the gauge dynamics directly in ${\cal H}^{L}$ without any redundant gauge and loop degrees of freedom. Using generalized Wigner-Eckart theorem and Biedenharn -Elliot identity in ${\cal H}^L$, we show that the loop dynamics for pure SU(2) lattice gauge theory in arbitrary dimension, is given by the real symmetric $3nj$ symbols of first kind (e.g., n=6, 10 for d=2, 3 respectively). The corresponding "ribbon diagrams" representing SU(2) loop dynamics are constructed. The prepotential techniques are trivially extended to include fundamental matter fields leading to a description in terms of loops and strings. The SU(N) gauge group is briefly discussed.