Phase structure of SU(3) gauge theory with two flavors of symmetric-representation fermions

TL;DR

This study uses lattice simulations to explore the phase structure of SU(3) gauge theory with two symmetric-representation fermion flavors, revealing a transition from confinement to deconfinement and chiral symmetry restoration.

Contribution

First numerical investigation of SU(3) gauge theory with symmetric-representation fermions showing phase transition behavior and potential infrared fixed point effects.

Findings

Observed crossover from confined to deconfined phase

Indications of chiral symmetry restoration in the deconfined phase

Confinement transition behavior consistent with infrared fixed point avoidance

Abstract

We have performed numerical simulations of SU(3) gauge theory coupled to Nf=2 flavors of symmetric representation fermions. The fermions are discretized with the tadpole-improved clover action. Our simulations are done on lattices of length L=6, 8, and 12. In all simulation volumes we observe a crossover from a strongly coupled confined phase to a weak coupling deconfined phase. Degeneracies in screening masses, plus the behavior of the pseudoscalar decay constant, indicate that the deconfined phase is also a phase in which chiral symmetry is restored. The movement of the confinement transition as the volume is changed is consistent with avoidance of the basin of attraction of an infrared fixed point of the massless theory.