Quark Gluon Plasma from Numerical Simulations of Lattice QCD

Abstract

Numerical simulations of quantum chromodynamics at nonzero temperature provide information from first principles about the physical properties of the quark gluon plasma. Because the lattice approximation can be refined indefinitely, results of lattice simulations now provide the most reliable basis for our understanding of the nonperturbative characteristics of the plasma and of the high temperature phase transition. Following a brief overview of the methodology of lattice gauge theory at nonzero temperature, recent results and insights from lattice simulations are discussed. These include our understanding of the phase diagram of QCD, the nature of the phase transition, and the structure of the plasma.