Abstract
We discuss the extension of gauge-invariant electric and magnetic screening masses in the Quark-Gluon Plasma to the case of a finite baryon density, defining them in terms of a matrix of Polyakov loop correlators. We present lattice results for $N_f=2+1$ QCD with physical quark masses, obtained using the imaginary chemical potential approach, which indicate that the screening masses increase as a function of $\mu_B$. A separate analysis is carried out for the theoretically interesting case $\mu_B/T=3 i \pi$, where charge conjugation is not explicitly broken and the usual definition of the screening masses can be used for temperatures below the Roberge-Weiss transition. Finally, we investigate the dependence of the static quark free energy on the baryon chemical potential, showing that it is a decreasing function of $\mu_B$ which displays a peculiar behavior as the pseudocritical transition temperature at $\mu_B=0$ is approached.
Highlights
Static color charges are useful probes of the properties of strongly interacting matter
We present lattice results for Nf 1⁄4 2 þ 1 QCD with physical quark masses, obtained using the imaginary chemical potential approach, which indicate that the screening masses increase as a function of μB
We investigate the dependence of the static quark free energy on the baryon chemical potential, showing that it is a decreasing function of μB, which displays a peculiar behavior as the pseudocritical transition temperature at μB 1⁄4 0 is approached
Summary
Static color charges are useful probes of the properties of strongly interacting matter. One expects an increase of screening effects as a function of μB, since a finite baryon density favors the onset of deconfinement; this is confirmed by perturbative predictions [14] and by lattice QCD studies considering correlators projected over color representations after gauge fixing [15] In this case, when considering gauge-invariant screening masses, one has to face the problem that charge conjugation symmetry is explicitly broken by the presence of the baryon chemical potential, so a clear separation into electric and magnetic sectors cannot be performed anymore [4].
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