The Deconfinement Transition in SU(4) Lattice Gauge Theory

TL;DR

This study investigates the deconfinement phase transition in SU(4) lattice gauge theory, finding evidence of a first order transition with specific thermodynamic characteristics using lattice simulations.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed lattice analysis of the deconfinement transition in SU(4), demonstrating its first order nature and estimating associated latent heat.

Findings

Susceptibility peak scales linearly with volume for N_t=4,5,6

Transition is identified as first order based on susceptibility behavior

Estimated latent heat is about two-thirds of ideal gas energy density at T_c

Abstract

The deconfinement transition in SU(4) lattice gauge theory is studied on N_s^3 X N_t lattices with N_s = 8-16 and N_t = 4-8 using a modified Wilson action which is expected to have no bulk transitions. The peak of susceptibility \chi_{|L|} is found to increase linearly with spatial volume for N_t = 4, 5, and 6, indicating a first order deconfinement phase transition. The latent heat is estimated to be approximately 2/3 of the corresponding ideal gas energy density at T_c.