Lattice QCD at finite density

TL;DR

This paper reviews the challenges and recent progress in studying Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) at finite density using lattice gauge theory, highlighting new methods and results in exploring the QCD phase diagram.

Contribution

It provides an overview of lattice formulations, discusses current calculational schemes, and introduces alternative lattice methods like strong coupling expansion for finite density QCD.

Findings

Successful exploration of QCD phase diagram at moderate baryon densities

Comparison of lattice results with phenomenological models

Potential insights into the superconducting phase of QCD

Abstract

QCD at finite density presents specific challenges to lattice gauge theory. Nonetheless, a region of the QCD phase diagram up to moderately large baryon chemical potentials has been successfully explored on the lattice and new results and idea are continuously emerging. I will outline the lattice formulation of QCD, introduce the calculational schemes currently used to treat a nonzero baryon density, and mention lattice methods alternative to MonteCarlo, including the strong coupling expansion which might give access to the the superconducting phase of QCD. The results for the critical line, and the different phases will be discussed highlighting the strength of the different methods, as well as the possible comparisons with phenomenological models.