Determinant problem in an article about QCD phase diagram

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around deriving an equation related to the QCD phase diagram, specifically equation (20) from a referenced article. Participants explore the mathematical properties of determinants and eigenvalues in the context of quantum chromodynamics (QCD).

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks assistance in deriving equation (20) from the article on the QCD phase diagram.
  • Another participant explains that the determinant of a matrix is the product of its eigenvalues, noting that the eigenvalues of ##D(0)## appear in pairs, ##\gamma_i## and ##\gamma_i^*##.
  • The same participant asserts that the mass matrix is proportional to the unit matrix, leading to eigenvalues of ##\gamma_i+m_q## and ##\gamma_i^*+m_q##, thus deriving the determinant expression.
  • A question is raised about the significance of the paired eigenvalues and the implications of setting the mass to zero.
  • Another participant clarifies that without baryo-chemical potential, the eigenvalues are always pairs of conjugate complex numbers, resulting in a positive fermion determinant.
  • This participant also mentions that at finite baryon chemical potential, the determinant is no longer real, complicating the use of Lattice QCD for evaluating the QCD phase diagram.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing levels of understanding regarding the mathematical concepts involved, particularly the pairing of eigenvalues and the implications of baryo-chemical potential. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the derivation process or the broader implications for Lattice QCD.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the properties of eigenvalues and determinants that are not fully explored. The implications of baryo-chemical potential on the determinant's nature are acknowledged but not resolved.

Ken Gallock
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Hi.
I'm reading an article about QCD phase diagram. https://arxiv.org/abs/1005.4814.
I want to derive eq(20), but I don't know how.
Does anyone know how to derive this?
 
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It just uses that the determinant of a matrix is given by the product of its eigenvalues. The eigenvalues of ##D(0)## come in pairs, ##\gamma_i## and ##\gamma_i^*##. The Mass matrix is proportional to the unit matrix and thus the eigenvalues are ##\gamma_i+m_q## and ##\gamma_i^*+m_q##. Do you get
$$\det (D(0)+m_q)=\prod_i (\gamma_i+m_q)(\gamma_i^*+m_q)$$
which is Eq. (20) in the paper.
 
vanhees71 said:
It just uses that the determinant of a matrix is given by the product of its eigenvalues. The eigenvalues of ##D(0)## come in pairs, ##\gamma_i## and ##\gamma_i^*##. The Mass matrix is proportional to the unit matrix and thus the eigenvalues are ##\gamma_i+m_q## and ##\gamma_i^*+m_q##. Do you get
$$\det (D(0)+m_q)=\prod_i (\gamma_i+m_q)(\gamma_i^*+m_q)$$
which is Eq. (20) in the paper.

Thanks.
If there is no mass, (##m_q=0##), then will it be like this?:
$$
\det D(0)=\prod_i \gamma_i \gamma_i^*.
$$
I'm not familiar with 'a pair (##\gamma_i, \gamma_i^*##)' part. Why do we have to think about pair of eigenvalues?
 
The point is to show that without baryo-chemical potential you have always pairs of conjugate omplex eigenvalues and that's why in this case the fermion determinant is positive. For finite ##\mu_{\text{B}}## it's not longer real (except for imaginary chemical potential). That's why you cannot use Lattice QCD so easily to evaluate the QCD phase diagram at finite ##\mu_{\text{B}}##. Ways out of this trouble is subject of vigorous ungoing research in the nuclear-physics/finite-temperature-lattice community.
 
vanhees71 said:
The point is to show that without baryo-chemical potential you have always pairs of conjugate omplex eigenvalues and that's why in this case the fermion determinant is positive. For finite ##\mu_{\text{B}}## it's not longer real (except for imaginary chemical potential). That's why you cannot use Lattice QCD so easily to evaluate the QCD phase diagram at finite ##\mu_{\text{B}}##. Ways out of this trouble is subject of vigorous ungoing research in the nuclear-physics/finite-temperature-lattice community.
Thanks!
Problem solved.
 

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