The QCD phase diagram according to the center group

TL;DR

This paper develops an effective theory for QCD that incorporates center symmetry, enabling Monte Carlo simulations at finite density, and maps out the phase diagram showing smooth transitions without critical points.

Contribution

It introduces a flux representation for a center symmetric effective QCD theory, allowing finite density simulations and detailed phase diagram analysis.

Findings

The phase diagram shows smooth deconfinement transitions.

The model reproduces expected shape and quark mass dependence.

No critical points or discontinuities observed in the transition.

Abstract

We study an effective theory for QCD at finite temperature and density which contains the leading center symmetric and center symmetry breaking terms. The effective theory is studied in a flux representation where the complex phase problem is absent and the model becomes accessible to Monte Carlo techniques also at finite chemical potential. We simulate the system using a generalized Prokof'ev-Svistunov worm algorithm and compare the results to a low temperature expansion. The phase diagram is determined as a function of temperature, chemical potential and quark mass. Shape and quark mass dependence of the phase boundaries are as expected for QCD. The transition into the deconfined phase is smooth throughout, without any discontinuities or critical points.