Flux representation of an effective Polyakov loop model for QCD thermodynamics

Abstract

We discuss an effective Polyakov loop model for QCD thermodynamics with a chemical potential. Using high temperature expansion techniques the partition sum is mapped exactly onto the partition sum of a flux model. In the flux representation the complex action problem is resolved and a simulation with worm-type algorithms becomes possible also at finite chemical potential.

Comments: Two remarks added. Final version to appear in Nuclear Physics B