Finite Temperature Phase Diagrams of Gauge Theories

TL;DR

This paper explores the phase diagrams of SU(N) gauge theories with massless fermions at finite temperature, identifying phase boundaries within the conformal window and discussing implications for lattice simulations.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of phase structures across the conformal window, highlighting how beta function zeros influence phase behavior and aiding in theory classification.

Findings

Identifies phase boundary within the conformal window.

Shows different phase structures depending on beta function zeros.

Outlines how to distinguish theories via lattice simulations.

Abstract

We discuss finite temperature phase diagrams of SU(N) gauge theory with massless fermions as a function of the number of fermion flavors. Inside the conformal window we find a phase boundary separating two different conformal phases. Below the conformal window we find different phase structures depending on if the beta function of the theory has a first or higher order zero at the lower boundary of the conformal window. We also outline how the associated behaviors will help in distinguishing different types of theories using lattice simulations.