From lattice to observables: Real and virtual experiments for exploring hot and dense QCD

TL;DR

This paper discusses how relativistic heavy-ion collisions and lattice QCD simulations serve as complementary experimental tools for exploring the properties of hot and dense QCD matter, focusing on critical point studies.

Contribution

It highlights the complementary roles of heavy-ion experiments and lattice QCD in studying QCD under extreme conditions and reviews recent advances in this area.

Findings

Identification of critical points in QCD

Complementary roles of experiments and simulations

Recent progress in hot and dense QCD research

Abstract

Relativistic heavy-ion collisions and the lattice QCD Monte-Carlo simulations are important ``experimental'' tools for investigating the properties of the medium described by QCD under extreme conditions. After briefly examining their characteristics, I pick up the study of the critical points in QCD as an example of the research subjects that these two tools play complementary roles and discuss recent topics that have been achieved with the use of each tool.