Topology and chiral symmetry in finite temperature QCD

We investigate the realization of chiral symmetry in the vicinity of the de confinement transition in quenched QCD using overlap fermions. Via the inde x theorem obeyed by the overlap fermions, we gain insight into the behavior of topology at finite temperature. We find small eigenvalues, clearly sepa rated from the bulk of the eigenvalues, and study the properties of their d istribution. We compare the distribution with a model of a dilute gas of in stantons and anti-instantons and find good agreement.