A Variational look at QCD

Abstract

I discuss the applicability of variational methods to the study of non-perturbative aspects of QCD. An illustration of the capabilities of the method pioneered by Kogan and Kovner is given through the analysis of the deconfinement phase transition in gluodynamics in 3+1 dimensions.

Comments: 10 pages, Invited talk at the workshop `Continuous Advances in QCD 2004', Minneapolis, Minnesota, May 13-16 2004