Gluon Thermodynamics at Intermediate Coupling

TL;DR

This paper computes thermodynamic functions of Yang-Mills theory at intermediate coupling using three-loop hard-thermal-loop perturbation theory, showing compatibility with lattice results for key thermodynamic quantities at temperatures around twice to thrice the critical temperature.

Contribution

It applies three-loop hard-thermal-loop perturbation theory to Yang-Mills thermodynamics, demonstrating agreement with lattice data at intermediate temperatures.

Findings

Agreement with lattice results for pressure, energy density, and entropy

Validates the use of three-loop hard-thermal-loop perturbation theory at T ~ 2-3 T_c

Provides improved theoretical understanding of Yang-Mills thermodynamics

Abstract

We calculate the thermodynamic functions of Yang-Mills theory to three-loop order using the hard-thermal-loop perturbation theory reorganization of finite temperature quantum field theory. We show that at three-loop order hard-thermal-loop perturbation theory is compatible with lattice results for the pressure, energy density, and entropy down to temperatures T ~ 2 - 3 T_c.