  We study the phase diagram of quantum chromodynamics (QCD). For this purpose
we employ the Schwinger-Dyson equations (SDEs) technique and construct a
truncation of the infinite tower of equations by demanding a matching with the
lattice results for the quark-anti-quark condensate at finite temperature (T),
for zero quark chemical potential (mu), that is, the region where lattice
calculations are expected to provide reliable results. We compute the evolution
of the phase diagram away from T=0 for increasing values of the chemical
potential by following the evolution of the heat capacity as a function of T
and mu. The behavior of this thermodynamic variable clearly demonstrates the
existence of a cross-over for mu less than a critical value. However, the heat
capacity develops a singularity near mu approx 0.22 GeV marking the onslaught
of a first order phase transition characterized by the existence of a critical
point. The critical line continues until mu approx 0.53 GeV where Tc=0 and thus
chiral symmetry is finally restored.

High Energy Physics - Phenomenology