Abstract
We consider the form of the chiral-symmetry-breaking piece of the effective potential in the linear σ model. Surprisingly, it allows for a second local minimum at both zero and finite temperatures. Even though chiral symmetry is not exact, and therefore is not restored in a true phase transition at finite temperature, this second minimum can nevertheless mimic many of the effects of a first-order phase transition. We derive a lower limit on the height of the second minimum relative to the global minimum based on cosmological considerations; this limit is so weak as to be practically nonexistent. In high energy nuclear collisions, it may lead to observable effects in Bose-Einstein interferometry due to domain walls and to coherent pion emission.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 5379-5388 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Physical Review D |
Volume | 50 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1994 |