Phase Structure of QCD and Forces between Quark Clusters

Abstract

Langevin simulations of finite temperature quantum chromodynamics with two flavors of Kogut-Susskind quarks on 83×4 lattice are presented. It is emphasized that the chiral phase transition strengthens as the quark mass mq, decreases towards zero, changing from a continuous crossover at mqα=0.2 to a first order transition at mqα=0.1. The critical coupling at mq=0 is estimated to be βc= 6/gc2=5.29−5.32, and the physical scale of Tc≃(0.19− 0.24)mρ. Deconfining phase transition takes place simultaneously with the chiral transition. Preliminary results for quark-antiquark potential derived from Polyakov line correlations are also presented.