Extensions and further applications of the nonlocal Polyakov-Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model

The nonlocal Polyakov-loop-extended Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model is further improved by including momentum-dependent wave-function renormalization in the quark quasiparticle propagator. Both two-and three-flavor versions of this improved Polyakov-loop-extended Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model are discussed, the latter with inclusion of the (nonlocal) 't Hooft-Kobayashi-Maskawa determinant interaction in order to account for the axial U(1) anomaly. Thermodynamics and phases are investigated and compared with recent lattice-QCD results.