Lessons from Random Matrix Theory for QCD at Finite Density

Abstract

In this lecture we discuss various aspects of QCD at nonzero chemical potential, including its phase diagram and the Dirac spectrum, and summarize what chiral random matrix theory has contributed to this subject. To illustrate the importance of the phase of the fermion determinant, we particularly highlight the differences between QCD and phase quenched QCD.

Invited talk at "Continuous Advances in QCD 2008", Minneapolis, May 2008; 14 pages, 7 figures