Comparing matrix models and QCD lattice data with chemical potential

Abstract

We present a quantitative analysis of the microscopic Dirac spectrum which is complex in the presence of a non-vanishing quark chemical potential. Data from quenched SU(3) lattice simulations for different volumes V and small values of the chemical potential are compared to analytical predictions from matrix models. We confirm the existence of two distinct limits for weakly and strongly nonhermitian Dirac operators. Good agreement is found in both limits, confirming the different scaling of chemical potential and eigenvalues with the volume.