Continuum Thermodynamics of the SU(N) Gauge Theory

TL;DR

This paper investigates the thermodynamics of SU(N) gauge theories in the deconfined phase, focusing on continuum limits, phase transition properties, and scaling behaviors across different N values.

Contribution

It provides a detailed continuum analysis of thermodynamic properties and phase transitions for SU(N) gauge theories with N=3, 4, and 6, including latent heat and conformality.

Findings

Continuum estimates of thermodynamic quantities are obtained.

The approach to conformality is analyzed across different N.

Validity of 't Hooft scaling is examined for N=3, 4, 6.

Abstract

The thermodynamics of the deconfined phase of the SU(N) gauge theory is studied. Careful study is made of the approach to the continuum limit. The latent heat of the deconfinement transition is studied, for the theories with 3, 4 and 6 colors. Continuum estimates of various thermodynamic quantities are studied, and the approach to conformality investigated. The bulk thermodynamic quantities at different N are compared, to investigate the validity of 't Hooft scaling at these values of N.