Phase Transitions of Charged Scalars at Finite Temperature and Chemical Potential

TL;DR

This paper investigates the phase transitions of charged scalar fields in quantum electrodynamics at finite temperature and chemical potential, revealing conditions for condensate formation and potential astrophysical implications.

Contribution

It provides a one-loop calculation of the grand canonical partition function and identifies bounds on transition temperatures for scalar condensate formation.

Findings

Evidence of a first order phase transition at low densities

Bounds on transition temperature for condensate formation

Potential implications for white dwarf star physics

Abstract

We calculate the grand canonical partition function at the one-loop level for scalar quantum electrodynamics at finite temperature and chemical potential. A classical background charge density with a charge opposite that of the scalars ensures the neutrality of the system. For low density systems we find evidence of a first order phase transition. We find upper and lower bounds on the transition temperature below which the charged scalars form a condensate. A first order phase transition may have consequences for helium-core white dwarf stars in which it has been argued that such a condensate of charged helium-4 nuclei could exist.