Locating the critical end point using the linear sigma model coupled to quarks

TL;DR

This paper employs the linear sigma model with quarks to analyze the phase diagram of QCD, incorporating beyond mean field effects to accurately locate the critical end point at finite temperature and baryon density.

Contribution

It introduces a method to compute the effective potential including ring diagrams, improving the accuracy of locating the critical end point in the phase diagram.

Findings

Effective potential computed beyond mean field

Critical End Point accurately located in phase diagram

Model couplings determined for finite temperature and density

Abstract

We use the linear sigma model coupled to quarks to compute the effective potential beyond the mean field approximation, including the contribution of the ring diagrams at finite temperature and baryon density. We determine the model couplings and use them to study the phase diagram in the baryon chemical potential-temperature plane and to locate the Critical End Point.