Testing MEM with Diquark and thermal Meson Correlation Functions

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of the maximum entropy method (MEM) in analyzing hadron spectral functions, focusing on its ability to distinguish bound states, resonances, and continuum contributions at various temperatures.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of MEM's capabilities in differentiating spectral features in QCD, including tests at zero and high temperatures using meson, diquark, and free quark correlators.

Findings

MEM can distinguish bound states from continuum in meson and diquark correlators at zero temperature.

The method's applicability to high-temperature QCD is assessed through free quark-antiquark correlator analysis.

Results highlight the strengths and limitations of MEM in spectral function analysis.

Abstract

When applying the maximum entropy method (MEM) to the analysis of hadron correlation functions in QCD a central issue is to understand to what extent this method can distinguish bound states, resonances and continuum contributions to spectral functions. We discuss these issues by analyzing meson and diquark correlation functions at zero temperature as well as free quark anti-quark correlators. The latter test the applicability of MEM to high temperature QCD.