Simulating SU(3) gauge theory with a realistic quark spectrum: Strangeness production in heavy-ion collisions

Abstract
SU(3) gauge theory with a light isodoublet and a heavier strange quark is simulated on a 4×83 lattice. A first-order chiral-symmetryrestoring phase transition is found and metastable states are exhibited. The gluon, isodoublet, and strange-quark contributions to the energy density are in the ratio 8:4:1 and each internal energy jumps discontinuously at Tc.