Thermodynamics of quark matter with a chiral imbalance

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new regularization scheme for quark matter models with chiral imbalance, aligning effective model results with lattice data and improving their predictive power.

Contribution

A novel regularization scheme that separates vacuum and medium effects, enabling effective models to better reproduce lattice results for chiral transitions in quark matter.

Findings

Scheme reconciles NJL model with lattice results

Separates vacuum and medium contributions effectively

Enhances predictability of effective quark models

Abstract

We show how a scheme of rewriting a divergent momentum integral can conciliate results obtained with the Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model and recent lattice results for the chiral transition in the presence of a chiral imbalance in quark matter. Purely vacuum contributions are separated from medium-dependent regularized momentum integrals in such a way that one is left with ultraviolet divergent momentum integrals that depend on vacuum quantities only. The scheme is applicable to other commonly used effective models to study quark matter with a chiral imbalance, it allows us to identify the source of their difficulties in reproducing the qualitative features of lattice results, and enhances their predictability and uses in other applications.