Probing the QCD phase structure with higher order baryon numbersusceptibilities within the NJL model

Conserved charge fluctuations can be used to probe the phase structure of strongly interacting nuclear matter in relativistic heavy-ion collisions. To obtain the characteristic signatures of the conserved charge fluctuations for the quantum chromodynamics(QCD) phase transition, we study the susceptibilities of dense quark matter up to eighth order in detail, using an effective QCD-based model. We studied two cases, one with the QCD critical end point(CEP) and one without owing to an additional vector interaction term. The higher order susceptibilities display rich structures near the CEP and show sign changes as well as large fluctuations. These can provide us information about the presence and location of the CEP. Furthermore, we find that the case without the CEP also shows a similar sign change pattern, but with a relatively smaller magnitude compared with the case with the CEP. Finally, we conclude that higher order susceptibilities of conserved charge can be used to probe the QCD phase structures in heavyion collisions.     

Event-by-event efficiency fluctuations and efficiency correction for cumulants of superposed multiplicity distributions in relativistic heavy-ion collision experiments

We performed systematic studies on the effects of event-by-event efficiency fluctuations on efficiency correction for cumulant analysis in relativistic heavy-ion collision experiments. Experimentally, particle efficiencies of events measured under different experimental conditions should be different. For fluctuation measurements, the final event-by-event multiplicity distributions should be the superposed distributions of various type of events measured under different conditions. We demonstrate efficiency fluctuation effects using numerical simulation, in which we construct an event ensemble consisting of events with two different efficiencies. By using the mean particle efficiencies, we find that the efficiency corrected cumulants show large deviations from the original inputs when the discrepancy between the two efficiencies is large. We further studied the effects of efficiency fluctuations for the cumulants of net-proton distributions by implementing the UrQMD events of Au+Au collisions at sNN~(1/2) = 7.7 GeV in a realistic STAR detector acceptance. We consider the unequal efficiency in two sides of the Time Projection Chamber(TPC), multiplicity dependent efficiency, and the event-by-event variations of the collision vertex position along the longitudinal direction(V_z). When the efficiencies fluctuate dramatically within the studied event sample,the effects of efficiency fluctuations have significant impacts on the efficiency corrections of cumulants with the mean efficiencies. We find that this effect can be effectively suppressed by binning the entire event ensemble into various sub-event samples, in which the efficiency variations are relatively small. The final efficiency corrected cumulants can be calculated from the weighted average of the corrected factorial moments of the sub-event samples with the mean efficiencies.     

Finite size effect on dissociation and diffusion of chiral partners in Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model

The masses of pion and sigma meson modes, along with their dissociation in the quark medium, provide detailed spectral structures of the chiral partners. Collectivity has been observed in pA and pp systems both at LHC and RHIC. In this research, we studied the restoration of chiral symmetry by investigating the finite size effect on the detailed structure of chiral partners in the framework of the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model. Their diffusion and conduction have been studied using this dissociation mechanism. It is determined that the masses, widths, diffusion coefficients, and conductivities of chiral partners merge at different temperatures in the restoration phase of chiral symmetry. However, merging points are shifted to lower temperatures when finite size effect is introduced into the picture. The strengths of diffusions and conductions are also reduced once the finite size is introduced in the calculations.     

Efficiency corrections for mutually inclusive variables and particle identification effect for mixed-cumulants in heavy-ion collisions

Mix-cumulants of conserved charge distributions are sensitive observables for probing properties of the QCD medium and phase transition in heavy-ion collisions. To perform precise measurements, efficiency correction is one of the most important step. In this study, using the binomial efficiency model, we derive efficiency correction formulas for mutually exclusive and inclusive variables. The UrQMD model is applied to verify the validity of these formulas for different types of correlations. Furthermore, we investigate the effect of the multiplicity loss and contamination emerging from the particle identifications. This study provides important steps toward future measurements of mixed-cumulants in relativistic heavy-ion collisions.     

Color-flavor dependence of the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model and QCD phase diagram

We study the dynamical chiral symmetry breaking/restoration for various numbers of light quarks flavors \begin{document}$ N_f $\end{document} and colors \begin{document}$ N_c $\end{document} using the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (NJL) model of quarks in the Schwinger-Dyson equation framework, dressed with a color-flavor dependence of effective coupling. For fixed \begin{document}$ N_f = 2 $\end{document} and varying \begin{document}$ N_c $\end{document}, we observe that the dynamical chiral symmetry is broken when \begin{document}$ N_c $\end{document} exceeds its critical value \begin{document}$ N^{c}_{c}\approx2.2 $\end{document}. For a fixed \begin{document}$ N_c = 3 $\end{document} and varying \begin{document}$ N_f $\end{document}, we observe that the dynamical chiral symmetry is restored when \begin{document}$ N_f $\end{document} reaches its critical value \begin{document}$ N^{c}_{f}\approx8 $\end{document}. Strong interplay is observed between \begin{document}$ N_c $\end{document} and \begin{document}$ N_f $\end{document}, i.e., larger values of \begin{document}$ N_c $\end{document} tend to strengthen the dynamical generated quark mass and quark-antiquark condensate, while higher values of \begin{document}$ N_f $\end{document} suppress both parameters. We further sketch the quantum chromodynamics (QCD) phase diagram at a finite temperature T and quark chemical potential μ for various \begin{document}$ N_c $\end{document} and \begin{document}$ N_f $\end{document}. At finite T and μ, we observe that the critical number of colors \begin{document}$ N^{c}_c $\end{document} is enhanced, whereas the critical number of flavors \begin{document}$ N^{c}_f $\end{document} is suppressed as T and μ increase. Consequently, the critical temperature \begin{document}$ T_c $\end{document}, \begin{document}$ \mu_c $\end{document}, and co-ordinates of the critical endpoint \begin{document}$ (T^{E}_c,\mu^{E}_c) $\end{document} in the QCD phase diagram are enhanced as \begin{document}$ N_c $\end{document} increases and suppressed when \begin{document}$ N_f $\end{document} increases. Our findings agree with the lattice QCD and Schwinger-Dyson equations predictions.     

万亿摄氏度下烹煮夸克汤：核物质相结构和量子色动力学相变临界点的实验研究

高温高密核物质相结构是核物理研究领域的热点和前沿。量子色动力学(QCD)相变临界点的实验确认将是探索核物质相结构的里程碑,具有重要科学意义。为了在这一具有潜在重大发现的研究方向上占据领先地位、取得突破,各国纷纷建造大型加速器以及粒子探测器,开展重离子碰撞实验,其主要目标就是从实验上探索高温高密核物质相结构、寻找QCD相变临界点。文章总结了近年来相对论重离子碰撞中核物质相结构及QCD临界点的实验研究进展,并对未来探索高重子密度区核物质相结构、寻找QCD临界点的重要实验装置做了展望。     

Finite volume effects on the QCD chiral phase transition in the finite size de-pendent Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model

The effective Lagrangian of a finite volume system should, in principle, depend on the system size. In the framework of the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio(NJL) model, by considering the influence of quark feedback on the effective coupling, we obtain a modified NJL model so that its Lagrangian depends on the volume. Based on the modified NJL model, we study the influence of finite volume on the chiral phase transition at finite temperature, and find that the pseudo-critical temperature of crossover is much lower than that obtained in the normal NJL model. This clearly shows that the volume dependent effective Lagrangian plays an important role in the chiral phase transitions at finite temperature.     

Nonextensive effects on QCD chiral phase diagram and baryon-number fluctuations within Polyakov-Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model

In this paper, a version of the Polyakov-Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (PNJL) model based on nonextensive statistical mechanics is presented. This new statistics summarizes all possible factors that violate the assumptions of the Boltzmann-Gibbs (BG) statistics to a dimensionless nonextensivity parameter q. Thus, when q tends to 1, it returns to the BG case. Within the nonextensive PNJL model, we found that as q increases, the location of the critical end point (CEP) exhibits non-monotonic behavior. That is, for \begin{document}$ q<1.15 $\end{document}, CEP moves in the direction of lower temperature and larger quark chemical potential. However, for \begin{document}$ q>1.15 $\end{document}, CEP turns to move in the direction of lower temperature and lower quark chemical potential. In addition, we studied the moments of the net-baryon number distribution, that is, variance (\begin{document}$ \sigma^{2} $\end{document}), skewness (S), and kurtosis (κ). Our results are generally consistent with the latest experimental data reported, especially for \begin{document}$ \sqrt{S_{NN}}>19.6\ \mathrm{GeV} $\end{document}, when q is set to \begin{document}$ 1.07 $\end{document}.     

High cumulants of conserved charges and their statistical uncertainties

We study the influence of measured high cumulants of conserved charges on their associated statistical uncertainties in relativistic heavy-ion collisions. With a given number of events, the measured cumulants randomly fluctuate with an approximately normal distribution, while the estimated statistical uncertainties are found to be correlated with corresponding values of the obtained cumulants. Generally, with a given number of events, the larger the cumulants we measure, the larger the statistical uncertainties that are estimated. The error-weighted averaged cumulants are dependent on statistics. Despite this effect, however, it is found that the three sigma rule of thumb is still applicable when the statistics are above one million.     

Analysis of one-and two-particle spectra at RHIC based on a hydrodynamical model

We calculate the one-particle hadronic spectra and correlation functions of pions based on a hydrodynamical model. Parameters in the model are so chosen that the one-particle spectra reproduce experimental results of √s= 130 AGeV Au + Au collisions at RHIC. Based on the numerical solution, we discuss the space-time evolution of the fluid. Two-pion correlation functions are also discussed. Our numerical solution suggests the formation of the quark-gluon plasma with large volume and low net baryon density.     

Quark matter properties and fluctuations of conserved charges in (2+1)-flavored quark model

In this study, the susceptibilities of conserved charges, baryon number, charge number, and strangeness number at zero and low values of chemical potential are presented. Taylor series expansion was used to obtain results for the three-flavor Polyakov quark meson (PQM) model and the Polyakov loop extended chiral quark mean-field (PCQMF) model. Mean-field approximation was used to study quark matter with the inclusion of the isospin chemical potential, as well as the vector interactions. The effects of isospin chemical potential and vector-interactions on phase diagrams were analyzed. A comparative analysis of the two models was completed. Fluctuations of the conserved charges were enhanced in the transition temperature regime and hence provided information about the critical end point (CEP). Susceptibilities of conserved quantities were calculated by using the Taylor series method. Enhancement of fluctuations in the transition temperature neighborhood provided a clear signature of a quantum chromodynamics (QCD) critical-point.     

Exact results for a dilute Potts model

Exact results are obtained for the annealed, dilute,q-component Potts model on the decorated square lattice. The phase diagram is found to consist of a high-temperature region, a low-temperature region, and a two-phase region in between which arises only forq>4: exact expressions for the phase boundary and the critical probability are derived. At the critical point the specific heat is generally finite and has a cusp; the slope of the cusp is finite forq=4 and infinite (vertical) forq=2 and 3.Work supported in part by NSF Grant No. DMR 78-18808.     

Higher-order susceptibilities of the regular and the random Ising model on the Cayley tree. I

Explicit expressions for the fourth-order susceptibility (⁴), the fourth derivative of thebulk free energy with respect to the external field, are given for the regular and the random-bond Ising model on the Cayley tree in the thermodynamic limit, at zero external field. The fourth-order susceptibility for the regular system diverges at temperature T _c ⁽⁴⁾ = 2k _B ^–1 J/ln{1+2/[(z–1)^3/4–1]}, confirming a result obtained by Müller-Hartmann and Zittartz [Phys. Rev. Lett. 33:893 (1974)]; Herez is the coordination number of the lattice,J is the exchange integral, andk _B is the Boltzmann constant. The temperatures at which ⁽⁴⁾ and the ordinary susceptibility (²) diverge are given also for the random-bond and the random-site Ising model and for diluted Ising models.     

Possibility of QCD critical point sweep during black hole formation

We discuss the possibility to probe the QCD critical point during the dynamical black hole formation from a gravitational collapse of a massive star, where the temperature and the baryon chemical potential become as high as T∼90 MeV and μB∼1300 MeV. Comparison with the phase boundary in chiral effective models suggests that quark matter is likely to be formed before the horizon is formed. Furthermore, the QCD critical point may be probed during the black hole formation. The critical point is found to move in the lower temperature direction in asymmetric nuclear matter, and in some of the chiral models it is found to be in the reachable region during the black hole formation processes.     

Aspects of the phase diagram in (P)NJL-like models

We discuss three applications of NJL- and PNJL-like models to assess aspects of the QCD phase diagram: First, we study the effect of mesonic correlations on the pressure below and above the finite temperature phase transition within a non-local PNJL model beyond the mean-field approximation. Second, we reconstruct the phase boundary of an NJL model from a Taylor expansion of the chiral susceptibility about μ=0 and compare the result with the exact phase boundary. Finally, we demonstrate the realization of the “non-standard scenario” for the critical surface in a three-flavor PNJL model with a μ-dependent determinant interaction.     

镶嵌正方晶格上Ising模型的近似解

采用格点自旋消约方法,将具有最近邻和次近邻耦合作用的镶嵌正方Ising晶格变换成等效的具有最近邻、次近邻和四体耦合作用的正方Ising晶格,得到系统近似解的临界点在K′C=0.4406868.结果表明:在相变点最近邻耦合作用K1和次近邻耦合作用K2之间满足一定关系.如果只计及镶嵌正方Ising晶格的最近邻耦合作用K1,则其严格解的临界点在K1C=0.7635.由此可以推断在正方格点间安放两个自旋的双镶嵌正方Ising晶格,在只计及最近邻耦合作用情况下,也是严格可解的.     

Effect of non-uniform efficiency on higher-order cumulants in heavy-ion collisions

We perform a systematic study on the effect of non-uniform track efficiency correction in higher-order cumulant analysis in heavy-ion collisions. Through analytical derivation, we find that the true values of cumulants can be successfully reproduced by the efficiency correction with an average of the realistic detector efficiency for particles with the same charges within each single phase space. The theoretical conclusions are supported by a toy model simulation by tuning the non-uniformity of the efficiency employed in the track-by-track efficiency correction method. The valid averaged efficiency is found to suppress the statistical uncertainties of the reproduced cumulants dramatically. Thus, usage of the averaged efficiency requires a careful study of phase space dependence. This study is important for carrying out precision measurements of higher-order cumulants in heavy-ion collision experiments at present and in future.     

Machine learning phase transitions of the three-dimensional Ising universality class

Exploration of the QCD phase diagram and critical point is one of the main goals in current relativistic heavy-ion collisions. The QCD critical point is expected to belong to a three-dimensional (3D) Ising universality class. Machine learning techniques are found to be powerful in distinguishing different phases of matter and provide a new way to study the phase diagram. We investigate phase transitions in the 3D cubic Ising model using supervised learning methods. It is found that a 3D convolutional neural network can be trained to effectively predict physical quantities in different spin configurations. With a uniform neural network architecture, it can encode phases of matter and identify both second- and first-order phase transitions. The important features that discriminate different phases in the classification processes are investigated. These findings can help study and understand QCD phase transitions in relativistic heavy-ion collisions.     

Critical behaviour of Sn2P2S6 and Sn2P2(Se0.28S0.72)6 crystals under high hydrostatic pressures

Basing on the temperature dependences of optical birefringence for Sn₂P₂S₆ and Sn₂P₂(Se_0.28S_0.72)₆ crystals subjected to hydrostatic pressures, we prove unambiguously that Sn₂P₂S₆ reveals a tricritical point on its (p, T)-phase diagram with the coordinates (p, T) = (4.3 kbar, 259 K), so that the second-order phase transition transforms into the first-order one whenever the pressure increases above 4.3 kbar. We also find that increasing hydrostatic pressure applied to Sn₂P₂(Se_0.28S_0.72)₆ leads to the change in the phase transition character from tricritical to first order. Further increase in the pressure up to ~2.5 kbar imposes splitting of the first-order paraelectric-to-ferroelectric phase transition into two phase transitions, a second-order paraelectric-to-incommensurate one and a first-order incommensurate-to-ferroelectric transition.     

采用正方元胞的Ising模型实空间重正化群解

在二维正方形晶格上,将元胞取为4格点正方形,采用3种不同的规则定义块自旋状态,进行了重正化群计算,得出了更为精确的结果;解决了元胞内格点数为偶数的重正化群计算问题.