One,Two,Zero: Scales of Strong Interactions

TL;DR

This paper reviews the behavior of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) with varying numbers of fermions, focusing on scale generation and the transition to conformality, analyzing phases and phase transitions at different temperatures.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of how QCD theories evolve with different fermion counts, emphasizing the approach to conformality and phase transition phenomena.

Findings

QCD exhibits diverse phenomena depending on fermion number

Theories approach conformality as fermion number increases

Analysis of phase transitions at zero and nonzero temperature

Abstract

We discuss our results on QCD with a number of fundamental fermions ranging from zero to sixteen. These theories exhibit a wide array of fascinating phenomena which have been under close scrutiny, especially in recent years, first and foremost is the approach to conformality. To keep this review focused, we have chosen scale generation, or lack thereof as a guiding theme, however the discussion will be set in the general framework of the analysis of the phases and phase transitions of strong interactions at zero and nonzero temperature.