Deconfinement and hadron properties at extremes of temperature and density

After introducing essential, qualitative concepts and results, the authors discuss the application of Dyson-Schwinger equations to QCD at finite T and {mu}. They summarize the calculation of the critical exponents of two-light-flavor QCD using the chiral and thermal susceptibilities; and an algebraic model that elucidates the origin of an anticorrelation between the {mu}- and T-dependence of a range of meson properties. That model also provides an algebraic understanding of why the finite-T behavior of bulk thermodynamic properties is mirrored in their {mu}-dependence, and why meson masses decrease with {mu} even though f{sub {pi}} and {minus} increase. The possibility of diquark condensation is canvassed. Its realization is uncertain because it is contingent upon an assumption abut the quark-quark scattering kernel that is demonstrably false in some applications; e.g., it predicts the existence of colored diquarks in the strong interaction spectrum, which are not observed.