The phase diagram of dense QCD

TL;DR

This paper reviews the current theoretical understanding of the QCD phase diagram at finite temperature and baryon chemical potential, focusing on phases, symmetry breaking, and critical phenomena in dense QCD.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the origin of different phases, their symmetry patterns, and the nature of phase transitions in dense QCD.

Findings

Discussion of quark deconfinement and chiral symmetry restoration

Analysis of the order of phase transitions and critical points

Insights into color superconductivity and inhomogeneous states

Abstract

Current status of theoretical researches on the QCD phase diagram at finite temperature and baryon chemical potential is reviewed with special emphasis on the origin of various phases and their symmetry breaking patterns. Topics include; quark deconfinement, chiral symmetry restoration, order of the phase transitions, QCD critical point(s), colour superconductivity, various inhomogeneous states and implications from QCD-like theories.