U(N) GAUGE-THEORY AND LATTICE STRINGS

The U(N) gauge theory on a D-dimensional lattice is reformulated as a theory of lattice strings (a statistical model of random surfaces). The Boltzmann weights of the surfaces can have both signs and are tuned so that the longitudinal modes of the string are eliminated. The U(infinity) gauge theory is described by noninteracting planar surfaces and the 1/N corrections are produced by surfaces with higher topology as well as by contact interactions due to microscopic tubes, trousers, handles. etc. We pay special attention to the case D = 2 where the sum over surfaces can be performed explicitly, and demonstrate that it reproduces the known exact results for the free energy and Wilson loops in the continuum limit. In D = 4 dimensions, our lattice string model reproduces the strong coupling phase of the gauge theory. The weak coupling phase is described by a more complicated string whose world surface may have windows. A possible integration measure in the space of continuous surfaces is suggested.