Partial deconfinement in gauge theories

TL;DR

This paper presents evidence for a partially deconfined phase in large-N gauge theories, where a subgroup of the gauge group deconfines, potentially existing in real QCD with N=3.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of partial deconfinement in gauge theories and provides evidence for its existence in the large-N limit.

Findings

Existence of a partially deconfined phase in large-N gauge theories

The deconfined subgroup SU(M) varies continuously with M/N

Potential relevance of partial deconfinement to real QCD with N=3

Abstract

We provide the evidence for the existence of partially deconfined phase in large-$N$ gauge theory. In this phase, the SU($M$) subgroup of SU($N$) gauge group deconfines, where $\frac{M}{N}$ changes continuously from zero (confined phase) to one (deconfined phase). The partially deconfined phase may exist in real QCD with $N=3$.