Polyakov loop modeling for hot QCD

• Published in: Progress in particle and nuclear physics Vol. 96; no. C; pp. 154 - 199
• Main Authors: Fukushima, Kenji, Skokov, Vladimir
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier B.V 01.09.2017; Elsevier
• Subjects: Center symmetry; Color confinement; Finite temperature and density; Non-perturbative field theory; NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS; Quark–gluon plasma; Riken BNL Research Center; Yang–Mils theory; Center symmetry; Finite temperature and density; Yang–Mils theory; Quark–gluon plasma; Non-perturbative field theory; Color confinement
• ISSN: 0146-6410; 1873-2224
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ppnp.2017.05.002

We review theoretical aspects of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) at finite temperature. The most important physical variable to characterize hot QCD is the Polyakov loop, which is an approximate order parameter for quark deconfinement in a hot gluonic medium. Additionally to its role as an order parameter, the Polyakov loop has rich physical contents in both perturbative and non-perturbative sectors. This review covers a wide range of subjects associated with the Polyakov loop from topological defects in hot QCD to model building with coupling to the Polyakov loop.