Phase diagrams in nonlocal Polyakov-Nambu-Jona-Lasinio models constrained by lattice QCD results

Abstract

Based on lattice QCD-adjusted SU(2)f nonlocal Polyakov-Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (PNJL) models, we investigate how the location of the critical endpoint in the QCD phase diagram depends on the strenght of the vector meson coupling, as well as the Polyakov-loop (PL) potential and the form factors of the covariant model. The latter are constrained by lattice QCD data for the quark propagator. The strength of the vector coupling is adjusted such as to reproduce the slope of the pseudocritical temperature for the chiral phase transition at low chemical potential extracted recently from lattice QCD simulations. Our study supports the existence of a critical endpoint in the QCD phase diagram albeit the constraint for the vector coupling shifts its location to lower temperatures and higher baryochemical potentials than in the case without it. © 2014 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.