On the origin of multi-component anyon wave functions

Abstract

In this paper I discuss how the component structure of anyon wave functions arises in theories with non-relativistic matter coupled to a Chern-Simons gauge field on the torus. It is shown that there exists a singular gauge transformation which brings the Hamiltonian to free form. The gauge transformation removes a degree of freedom from the Hamiltonian. This degree of freedom generates only a finite dimensional Hilbert space and is responsible for the component structure of free anyon wave functions. This gives an understanding of the need for multiple component anyon wave functions from the point of view of Chern-Simons theory.