$\rho$ self energy at finite temperature and density in the real-time formalism

TL;DR

This paper investigates the in-medium modifications of the rho meson spectral function at finite temperature and density using real-time thermal field theory, highlighting the broadening effects due to baryonic and mesonic loops.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of the rho meson self-energy in nuclear matter, including anti-baryons and a full spectral function at various thermodynamic conditions.

Findings

Significant broadening of the rho spectral function due to Landau cut effects.

Full spectral function includes contributions from baryonic and mesonic loops.

Results vary with temperature and baryonic chemical potential.

Abstract

The $\rho$ meson self-energy in nuclear matter from baryonic loops is analysed in the real time formulation of field theory at finite temperature and density. The discontinuities across the branch cuts of the self-energy function are evaluated for an exhaustive set of resonances in the loops considering the fully relativistic thermal baryon propagator including anti-baryons. Numerical calculations show a significant broadening of the $\rho$ spectral function coming from the Landau cut. Adding the contribution from mesonic loops, the full spectral function of the $\rho$ in a thermal gas of mesons, baryons and antibaryons in equilibrium is evaluated at various values of temperature and baryonic chemical potential.