Canonical quantization of the Skyrme model

The canonical quantization of the Skyrme model is presented. Due to the complexities of the original set-up, first postulated by Rajeev, a new set of fields is found which satisfy a Lie algebra and for this reason, simplifies the study of the system. Using the new fields, the properties of the states under rotations are examined. As a result we re-derive the quantization of the coefficient of the Wess-Zumino action as an a priori consistency condition. We also find under what circumstances states with non-vanishing winding number behave like fermions. (orig.)