Quark binding in the color SU(2) gauge model

The question of quark binding is examined in the context of a recently proposed gauge model of superstrong interactions which is both asymptotically free and devoid of infrared divergences. In this model, the color SU2) symmetry is broken by the presence of a scalar gluon which is also responsible in part for the dynamics. We find in the static approximation that E/sub min/(q anti q) < or = E/sub min/(qq), but that E/sub min/(qqq) < E/sub min/(qq anti q) only if three-body forces are operative. Further dynamical implications are also discussed