Monte Carlo Simulation of The Adjoint Coulomb Gas

Monte Carlo simulation results for unitary matrix quantum mechanics, describing two-dimensional Yang-Mills theory coupled to a finite density of non-dynamical quarks (adjoint Coulomb gas), are presented. We characterize the deconfining transition in this model, by measuring the Polyakov Loop Susceptibility and employing finite-size scaling analysis. We provide evidence that the phase transition is first-order. Our results are consistent with the outcome of earlier large-$N$ studies of the model.