The Critical End Point of Quantum Chromodynamics Detected by Chirally Imbalanced Quark Matter

Abstract

We suggest the idea, supported by concrete calculations within chiral models, that the critical endpoint of the phase diagram of Quantum Chromodynamics with three colors can be detected, by means of Lattice simulations of grand-canonical ensembles with a chiral chemical potential, $\mu_5$, conjugated to chiral charge density. In fact, we show that a continuation of the critical endpoint of the phase diagram of Quantum Chromodynamics at finite chemical potential, $\mu$, to a critical end point in the temperature-chiral chemical potential plane, is possible. This study paves the way of the mapping of the phases of Quantum Chromodynamics at finite $\mu$, by means of the phases of a fictitious theory in which $\mu$ is replaced by $\mu_5$.Comment: List of changes: some reference added; chiral chemical potential better explained. Version to appear on Phys. Rev.