Isentropic thermodynamics across the hadron-quark mixed phase in a two-phase model with a PNJL quark description

TL;DR

This paper explores the thermodynamics of the hadron-quark phase transition using a two-phase model with the PNJL quark description, analyzing how different conditions affect the phase diagram and properties like the speed of sound and hyperon population.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of isentropic trajectories and thermodynamic properties across the hadron-quark mixed phase using the PNJL model with vector interactions.

Findings

Isentropic trajectories near the CEP show cooling patterns.

Speed of sound exhibits peak and dip structures depending on entropy per baryon.

Hyperons shift deconfinement onset to higher densities.

Abstract

We study the hadron-quark mixed phase within a two-phase model for symmetric and asymmetric matter. For the quark sector we employ the (2+1) Polyakov-extended Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model (PNJL) with vector interactions. We investigate how the hadronic equation of state affects the phase diagram and the thermodynamic properties inside the mixed phase. The behavior of isentropic trajectories in the mixed phase depends on the fixed entropy per baryon ($s/\rho_B$), with trajectories near the critical end point (CEP) exhibiting a pronounced cooling pattern, while isentropic trajectories with low entropy per baryon undergo pronounced heating as the baryonic density increases. The adiabatic squared speed of sound displays characteristic peak and dip structures that depend on $s/\rho_B$. The polytropic index along isentropic and isothermal trajectories, including in the vicinity of the CEP are also investigated. The effects of vector interactions and isospin asymmetry on thermodynamic observables likewise depend on the chosen $s/\rho_B$ value. Finally, we discuss the population of hyperons along isentropic trajectories and their influence on the phase diagram. The main effect of hyperons is to shift the onset of deconfinement to larger densities and decrease the density extension of the mixed phase.