Meson Mass Modification in Hot and Dense QCD Matter

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.