Critical point in the QCD phase diagram for extremely strong background magnetic fields

Lattice simulations have demonstrated that a background (electro)magnetic field reduces the chiral/deconfinement transition temperature of quantum chromodynamics for eB < 1 GeV^2. On the level of observables, this reduction manifests itself in an enhancement of the Polyakov loop and in a suppression of the light quark condensates (inverse magnetic catalysis) in the transition region. In this paper, we report on lattice simulations of 1+1+1-flavor QCD at an unprecedentedly high value of the magnetic field eB = 3.25 GeV^2. Based on the behavior of various observables, it is shown that even at this extremely strong field, inverse magnetic catalysis prevails and the transition, albeit becoming sharper, remains an analytic crossover. In addition, we develop an algorithm to directly simulate the asymptotically strong magnetic field limit of QCD. We find strong evidence for a first-order deconfinement phase transition in this limiting theory, implying the presence of a critical point in the QCD phase diagram. Based on the available lattice data, we estimate the location of the critical point.Comment: 22 pages, 20 figures. v2: small changes in title and text; version accepted for publication in JHE

QCD phase diagram and equation of state in background electric fields

The phase diagram and the equation of state of QCD is investigated in the presence of weak background electric fields by means of continuum extrapolated lattice simulations. The complex action problem at nonzero electric field is circumvented by a novel Taylor expansion, enabling the determination of the linear response of the thermal QCD medium to constant electric fields -- in contrast to simulations at imaginary electric fields, which, as we demonstrate, involve an infrared singularity. Besides the electric susceptibility of QCD matter, we determine the dependence of the Polyakov loop on the field strength to leading order. Our results indicate a plasma-type behavior with a negative susceptibility at all temperatures, as well as an increase in the transition temperature as the electric field grows.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figure

Dressed Wilson loops as dual condensates in response to magnetic fields

We introduce dressed Wilson loops as a novel confinement observable. It consists of closed planar loops of arbitrary geometry but fixed area and its expectation values decay with the latter. The construction of dressed Wilson loops is based on chiral condensates in response to magnetic (and electric) fields, thus linking different physical concepts. We present results for generalized condensates and dressed Wilson loops on dynamical lattice configurations and confirm the agreement with conventional Wilson loops in the limit of large probe mass. We comment on the renormalization of dressed Wilson loops.Comment: 7 pages; talk presented at the XXIX International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory (Lattice 2011), July 10-16, 2011, Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe, California, US

Equation of state and speed of sound of isospin-asymmetric QCD on the lattice

We determine the QCD equation of state at nonzero temperature in the presence of an isospin asymmetry between the light quark chemical potentials on the lattice. Our simulations employ $N_f=2+1$ flavors of dynamical staggered quarks at physical masses, using three different lattice spacings. The main results are based on a two-dimensional spline interpolation of the isospin density, from which all relevant quantities can be obtained analytically. In particular, we present results for the pressure, the interaction measure, the energy and entropy densities, as well as the speed of sound. Remarkably, the latter is found to exceed its ideal gas limit deep in the pion condensed phase, the first account of the violation of this limit in first principles QCD. Finally, we also compute the phase diagram in the temperature -- isospin density plane for the first time. The data for all observables will be useful for the benchmarking of effective theories and low-energy models of QCD and are provided in ancillary files for simple reuse.Comment: 28 pages, 42 figure

N_f=2+1 flavour equation of state

We conclude our investigation on the QCD equation of state (EoS) with 2+1 staggered flavors and one-link stout improvement. We extend our previous study [JHEP 0601:089 (2006)] by choosing even finer lattices. These new results [for details see arXiv:1007.2580] support our earlier findings. Lattices with N_t=6,8 and 10 are used, and the continuum limit is approached by checking the results at N_t=12. A Symanzik improved gauge and a stout-link improved staggered fermion action is taken; the light and strange quark masses are set to their physical values. Various observables are calculated in the temperature (T) interval of 100 to 1000~MeV. We compare our data to the equation of state obtained by the "hotQCD" collaboration.Comment: presented at the XXVIII. International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, June 14-19,2010, Villasimius, Sardinia Ital

The QCD equation of state and the effects of the charm

We present an update on the QCD equation of state of the Wuppertal-Budapest Collaboration, extending our previous studies [JHEP 0601 (2006) 089, JHEP 1011 (2010) 077]. A Symanzik improved gauge and a stout-link improved staggered fermion action is utilized. We discuss partial quenching and present preliminary results for the fully dynamical charmed equation of state.Comment: Talk presented at the XXIX International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, July 10-16, 2011, Lake Tahoe, Californi

Transition temperature and the equation of state from lattice QCD, Wuppertal-Budapest results

The QCD transition is studied on lattices up to $N_t=16$. The chiral condensate is presented as a function of the temperature, and the corresponding transition temperature is extracted. The equation of state is determined on lattices with $N_t=6,8,10$ and at some temperature values with $N_t=12$. The pressure and the trace anomaly are presented as functions of the temperature in the range 100 ...1000 MeV . Using the same configurations we determine the continuum extrapolated phase diagram of QCD on the $\mu-T$ plane for small to moderate chemical potentials. Two transition lines are defined with two quantities, the chiral condensate and the strange quark number susceptibility.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, Proceedings for Quark Matter 201

Challenges and Rewards of the Electrosynthesis of Macroscopic Aligned Carbon Nanotube Array/Conducting Polymer Hybrid Assemblies

Hybrid assemblies based on conducting polymers and carbon nanomaterials with organized nanoscale structure are excellent candidates for various application schemes ranging from thermal management to electrochemical energy conversion and storage. In the case of macroscopic samples, however, precise control of the nanoscale structure has remained a major challenge to be solved for the scientific community. In this study we demonstrate possible routes to homogeneously infiltrate poly(3-hexylthiophene), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), and polyaniline into macroscopic arrays of vertically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTAs). Electron microscopic images and Raman spectroscopic analysis (performed along the longitudinal dimension of the hybrid samples) both confirmed that optimization of the electropolymerization circumstances allowed fine tuning of the hybrid structure towards the targeted application. In this vein, three different application avenues were tested. The remarkable anisotropy in both the electrical and thermal conductivity of the nanocomposites makes them eminently attractive candidates to be deployed in thermal management. Thermoelectric studies, aimed to understand the effect of organized nanoscale morphology on the important parameters (Seebeck coefficient, electrical-, and thermal conductivity) compared to their non-organized hybrid counterparts. Finally, extraordinary high charge storage capacity values were registered for the MWCNTA/PANI hybrids (500 F g(-1) and 1-3 F cm(-2)). (C) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc