Critical Points in the Linear Sigma Model with Quarks

TL;DR

This paper uses an effective model to explore the phase diagram of quark chiral dynamics at finite temperature and density, revealing how the number of critical points varies with the pion mass.

Contribution

It introduces a study of the phase structure in the linear sigma model with quarks, highlighting the dependence on pion mass and the resulting critical points.

Findings

Phase diagram depends on pion mass

Number of critical points varies with pion mass

Identifies conditions for zero, one, or two critical points

Abstract

We employ a simple effective model to study the chiral dynamics of two flavors of quarks at finite temperature and density. In particular, we determine the phase diagram in the plane of temperature and baryon chemical potential as a function of the pion mass. An interesting phase structure occurs which results in zero, one or two critical points depending on the value of the vacuum pion mass.