Heavy ${\bar Q}Q$ free energy from hadronic states

TL;DR

This paper models the heavy quark-antiquark free energy below the phase transition using hadronic states and string breaking phenomena, achieving good agreement with lattice data.

Contribution

It introduces a novel hadronic representation of the heavy quark-antiquark free energy incorporating string breaking and avoided crossings, aligning with lattice results.

Findings

Effective hadronic model reproduces lattice data

String breaking and avoided crossings are key features

Model provides insights into QCD confinement mechanisms

Abstract

Within the spirit of the Hadron Resonance Gas model, we study a representation of the heavy $\bar{Q}Q$ free energy at temperatures below the phase transition in terms of the string and heavy-light hadrons. We discuss the string breaking phenomenon and the relevance of avoided crossings between the fundamental string and the hadron spectrum. Good agreement with lattice data is achieved.