Gap equation in finite-temperature three-dimensional QED beyond the bare-vertex approximation

Abstract

Dynamical mass generation in a three-dimensional version of finite-temperature QED is studied with the help of Schwinger-Dyson equations in the real-time formalism. We go beyond the bare-vertex approximation and include wave-function renormalization effects. This introduces a system of two integral equations which are solved numerically. In order to increase the reliability of the results, fermion and photon self-energies varying independently with energy and momentum are used. The method applied enables a detailed study of the behaviour of the theory with increasing temperature and number of fermion flavours.