QCD Phase Diagram and the Finite Volume Fireball: A Model Study

TL;DR

This study uses the Nambu Jona-Lasinio model to analyze how finite volume effects influence the QCD phase transition line, number density, and susceptibilities in heavy-ion collision experiments.

Contribution

It provides a model-based analysis of finite volume effects on the QCD phase diagram using the NJL model with MIT boundary conditions.

Findings

Finite volume shifts the transition temperature.

Finite volume affects number density and susceptibilities.

Volume effects are crucial for interpreting experimental signatures.

Abstract

Experimental investigations of the phase diagram of strongly interacting matter involve collisions of heavy ions at ultrarelativistic velocities. The medium created in such a collision is often of dimensions a few fermi, in particular in the Beam Energy Scan experiments. An understanding of the effect of the finite volume and the boundary is important for connecting the experimental results to the phase diagram. Using the Nambu Jona-Lasinio model, an effective theory for the chiral transition of quantum chromodynamics (QCD), we have studied the effect of the finite volume of the fireball on the transition line at finite temperature and density using the MIT boundary condition to mimic the condition that the system is deconfined inside. The shift of the transition temperature for finite volume and finite volume effect on number density and its susceptibilities are studied. The volume effects should be considered when looking for signatures of the phase diagram in experiments.