The phase diagram in the vector meson extended linear sigma model

TL;DR

This paper explores the phase diagram of strongly interacting matter using an extended quark-meson model that includes vector mesons, revealing a critical end point at low baryon density.

Contribution

It introduces an extended (2+1) flavor Polyakov quark-meson model with vector and axial vector mesons, analyzing chiral symmetry restoration and the phase diagram.

Findings

Existence of a critical end point at low baryon density.

Model parameters fitted to experimental meson masses and decay widths.

Chiral symmetry restoration monitored via condensate evolution.

Abstract

We investigate the chiral phase transition of the strongly interacting matter at nonzero temperature and baryon chemical potential $\mu_B$ within an extended (2+1) flavor Polyakov constituent quark-meson model which incorporates the effect of the vector and axial vector mesons. The parameters of the model are determined by comparing masses and tree-level decay widths with experimental values. We examine the restoration of the chiral symmetry by monitoring the temperature evolution of condensates. We study the $T-\rho_B$ phase diagram of the model and find that a critical end point exists, although at very low density.