Lattice QCD at Finite Temperature and Density

Abstract

A general introduction into the subject aimed at a general theoretical physics audience. We introduce the sign problem posed by finite density lattice QCD, and we discuss the main methods proposed to circumvent it, with emphasis on the imaginary chemical potential approach. The interrelation between the Taylor expansion and the analytic continuation from imaginary chemical potential is discussed in detail. The main applications to the calculation of the critical line, and to the thermodynamics of the hot and the hadronic phase are reviewed.