Axial-Vector Lattice Benchmarks Reveal a Common Medium Response of Meson Screening in Hot QCD

Abstract

Meson screening masses trace the dissolution of hadronic correlations in hot QCD. Combining lattice-QCD benchmarks with a symmetry-preserving Dyson--Schwinger baseline, we identify a flavor-dependent axial-vector quasi-free onset and a finite-interval medium response. One axial-vector point fixes the response; remaining axial-vector data test it, and vector screening masses validate it without input. The framework predicts light-charm and bottom-containing spectra; its pseudoscalar--scalar extension gives conservative lower estimates for ordinary chiral partners.