QCD-like theories with many fermions: magnetic plasma and unusual confinements

TL;DR

This paper discusses theoretical ideas and potential lattice QCD studies of magnetic plasma phases and unusual confinement phenomena in QCD-like theories with around 10 fermions, highlighting new directions for research.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of a magnetic dominated plasma phase at higher fermion numbers and proposes tests to identify unusual confinement phases in lattice QCD.

Findings

Magnetic plasma phase more prominent at N_f ~ 10

Proposed tests for unusual confinement phases

Theoretical ideas not yet widely discussed

Abstract

This comment-style letter represents a part of my talks on new developments in lattice QCD. While it does not contain any new results, it containes some theoretical ideas and comparisons which, I think, are not yet widely discussed in the lattice community. We point out that for $N_f\sim 10$ one can study a plasma phase which is much more "magnetic dominated" than for small $N_f$. We also suggest certain tests/measurements to check if "unusual confinement" phases are or are not realized in this region.