Meson Mass Modification in Hot and Dense QCD Matter

Department of Physics, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat - 395007, Gujarat, India

Published online: 5 March 2026

Abstract

We study meson mass modifications in hot and dense QCD matter by incorporating medium effects into the heavy quark–antiquark interaction. The in-medium properties are obtained by solving the radial Schrödinger equation using a complex potential derived from the improved Gauss law model, where thermal screening is introduced through a temperature-dependent Debye mass. The real part of the potential accounts for color screening, while the imaginary part represents in-medium dissociation. The resulting temperature-dependent meson masses show a systematic reduction with increasing temperature, reflecting weakened binding in the quark–gluon plasma and signaling the onset of meson melting.