QCD at small baryon number

TL;DR

This paper explores finite density QCD at small baryon numbers using the canonical formalism, controlling the sign problem and studying thermodynamics of few-nucleon systems across phases.

Contribution

It introduces a method to study small baryon number QCD with controlled sign problem and extends thermodynamic analysis to lower temperatures.

Findings

Controlled sign problem at small baryon numbers

Measurement of free energy of few baryons in different phases

A simple phase transition model consistent with literature

Abstract

We consider the difficulties of finite density QCD from the canonical formalism. We present results for small baryon numbers, where the sign problem can be controlled, in particular by supplementing the mu=0 sampling with imaginary mu ensembles. We initiate the thermodynamic study of few-nucleon systems, starting with the measurement of the free energy of a few baryons in the confined and deconfined phase. We present a simple model for the phase transition, whose results are in good agreement with the literature, but extend to lower temperatures.