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arXiv · 1110.0696

Weak coupling large-N transitions at finite baryon density

Timothy J. Hollowood·S. Prem Kumar·Joyce C. Myers
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Abstract

We study thermodynamics of free SU(N) gauge theory with a large number of colours and flavours on a three-sphere, in the presence of a baryon number chemical potential. Reducing the system to a holomorphic large-N matrix integral, paying specific attention to theories with scalar flavours (squarks), we identify novel third-order deconfining phase transitions as a function of the chemical potential. These transitions in the complex large-N saddle point configurations are interpreted as "melting" of baryons into (s)quarks. They are triggered by the exponentially large (~ exp(N)) degeneracy of light baryon-like states, which include ordinary baryons, adjoint-baryons and baryons made from different spherical harmonics of flavour fields on the three-sphere. The phase diagram of theories with scalar flavours terminates at a phase boundary where baryon number diverges, representing the onset of Bose condensation of squarks.

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Timothy J. Hollowood, S. Prem Kumar, Joyce C. Myers. 2011-10-04. Weak coupling large-N transitions at finite baryon density. https://doi.org/10.1007/jhep11(2011)138

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