Lattice QCD with purely imaginary sources at zero and non-zero temperature

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent progress in lattice QCD studies involving external sources such as imaginary chemical potentials, theta-terms, and electromagnetic fields, highlighting their implications for understanding strongly interacting matter.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of lattice QCD techniques and findings related to imaginary sources and external fields, emphasizing recent methodological and conceptual advances.

Findings

Insights into QCD phase structure with imaginary chemical potentials

Analysis of effects of electromagnetic fields on strongly interacting matter

Advancements in lattice techniques for external source studies

Abstract

We discuss various aspects and recent progress concerning lattice QCD studies in the presence of external sources. We focus, in particular, on issues regarding QCD with non-zero imaginary chemical potentials or with a $\theta$-term, and on the properties of strongly interacting matter in the presence of electromagnetic background fields.