Path integrals without lattices for QED2

One can approximate path integrals in free two-dimensional quantum electrodynamics by expanding the fields in terms of a complete set of functions, by truncating the expansion, and by using Monte-Carlo techniques to evaluate the resulting finite-dimensional integrals. Using 3131 functions of compact support, we computed the Wilson-loop functional to an accuracy of 8 to 14% for reasonably sized loops. These results changed by less than 6% when we delayed the loops by one-tenth of the duration of the model universe. (orig.)