Wilson loops for triangular contours with circular edges

Abstract

We calculate Wilson loops in lowest order of perturbation theory for triangular contours whose edges are circular arcs. Based on a suitable disentanglement of the relations between metrical and conformal parameters of the contours, the result fits perfectly in the structure predicted by the anomalous conformal Ward identity. The conformal remainder function depends in the generic 4D case on three cusp and on three torsion angles. The restrictions on these angles imposed by the closing of the contour are discussed in detail and also for cases in 3D and 2D.

Comments: 23 pages, 8 figures, comments on cusps of scalar coupling added, appendix on planar remainder in terms of standard functions added, version to appear in Journal of Physics A