Chern-Simons theory, Stokes' theorem, and the Duflo map (Q533432)

From the authors' abstract: ``A novel derivation of the expectation values of holonomies in Chern-Simons theory is considered, based on Stokes' theorem and the functional properties of the Chern-Simons action. It involves replacing the connection by certain functional derivatives under the path integral. It turns out that ordering choices have to be made in the process, and it is demonstrated that the Duflo isomorphism gives the right ordering, at least in the simple cases considered. In this way, the authors determine the expectation values of unknotted, but possibly linked, holonomy loops for \(SU(2)\) and \(SU(3)\), and sketch how the method may be applied to more complicated cases. The manipulations of the path integral are formal but well motivated by a rigorous calculus of integration on spaces of generalized connections which has been developed in the context of loop quantum gravity.''