Effective matrix model for deconfinement in pure gauge theories

Understand

We construct matrix models for the deconfining phase transition in SU(N) gauge theories, without dynamical quarks, at a nonzero temperature T.

• We generalize models with zero and one free parameter to study a model with two free parameters: besides perturbative terms ~T^4, we introduce terms ~T^2 and ~T^0.
• The two N-dependent parameters are determined by fitting to data from numerical simulations on the lattice for the pressure, including the latent heat.
• Good agreement is found for the pressure in the semi-quark gluon plasma (QGP), which is the region from Tc, the critical temperature, to about ~4 Tc.