Theory and Phenomenology of the Polyakov loop in QCD Thermodynamics

TL;DR

This paper develops models of gluon behavior in a non-trivial Polyakov loop background to explain deconfinement transition and thermodynamics in SU(3) gauge theory, aligning with lattice data.

Contribution

It synthesizes Polyakov loop and quasiparticle models to create a new class of models for QCD thermodynamics.

Findings

Models successfully reproduce critical behavior.

Models match the equation of state for SU(3).

Polyakov loop P and e-3p effectively discriminate models.

Abstract

A synthesis of Polyakov loop models of the deconfinement transition and quasiparticle models of gluon plasma thermodynamics leads to a class of models in which gluons move in a non-trivial Polyakov loop background. These models are successful candidates for explaining both critical behavior and the equation of state for the SU(3) gauge theory at finite temperature. Two sensitive lattice probes which can discriminate between models are the Polyakov loop P and e-3p.