Diamagnetic and paramagnetic phases in low-energy quantum chromodynamics

While it is known that the QCD vacuum in a magnetic background exhibits both diamagnetic and paramagnetic characteristics in the low-energy domain, a systematic investigation of the corresponding phases emerging in the pion-dominated regime is still lacking. Here, within two-flavor chiral perturbation theory, taking into account the pion-pion interaction, we analyze the subtle interplay between zero- and finite-temperature portions in the magnetization and magnetic susceptibility. The dependence of the magnetic susceptibility on temperature and magnetic field strength in the paramagnetic and diamagnetic phase is non-monotonic. Our low-energy analysis complements lattice QCD that is currently operating at higher temperatures and stronger magnetic fields.