The Schwinger model and the physical projector: A Nonperturbative quantization without gauge fixing

Based on the physical projector approach, a nonpertubative quantization of the massless Schwinger model is considered which does not require any gauge fixing. The spectrum of physical states, readily identified following a diagonalization of the operator algebra, is that of a massive pseudoscalar field, namely the electric field having acquired a mass proportional to the gauge coupling constant. The physical spectrum need not be identified with confined bound fermion-antifermion pairs, an interpretation which one is otherwise led to given whatever gauge fixing procedure but which is not void of gauge fixing artefacts. Comment: To appear in the Proceedings of the Second International Workshop on Contemporary Problems in Mathematical Physics, Cotonou, Republic of Benin, 15 pages