# Polyakov loop modeling for hot QCD

## TL;DR

This paper reviews the role of the Polyakov loop as a key variable in understanding hot QCD, covering its theoretical aspects, physical significance, and applications in modeling deconfinement phenomena.

## Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the Polyakov loop's physical content and its use in modeling quark deconfinement in hot QCD, including both perturbative and non-perturbative insights.

## Key findings

- Polyakov loop as an order parameter for deconfinement
- Rich physical content in perturbative and non-perturbative sectors
- Connections to topological defects and model building

## Abstract

We review theoretical aspects of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) at finite temperature. The most important physical variable to characterize hot QCD is the Polyakov loop, which is an approximate order parameter for quark deconfinement in a hot gluonic medium. Additionally to its role as an order parameter, the Polyakov loop has rich physical contents in both perturbative and non-perturbative sectors. This review covers a wide range of subjects associated with the Polyakov loop from topological defects in hot QCD to model building with coupling to the Polyakov loop.