Phase transition and critical end point driven by an external magnetic field in asymmetric quark matter

TL;DR

This paper investigates how an external magnetic field and asymmetries affect the critical end point in the QCD phase diagram using a 2+1 flavor Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model with Polyakov loop.

Contribution

It reveals the influence of isospin asymmetry and magnetic fields on the CEP's location and existence in asymmetric quark matter.

Findings

Isospin asymmetry shifts the CEP to higher chemical potentials and lower temperatures.

Strong magnetic fields can induce a first order phase transition.

The CEP disappears at large asymmetries.

Abstract

The location of the critical end point (CEP) in the QCD phase diagram is determined under different scenarios. The effect of strangeness, isospin/charge asymmetry and an external magnetic field is investigated. The discussion is performed within the 2+1 flavor Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model with Polyakov loop. It is shown that isospin asymmetry shifts the CEP to larger baryonic chemical potentials and smaller temperatures. At large asymmetries the CEP disappears. However, a strong enough magnetic field drives the system into a first order phase transition.