The Condensed Matter Physics of QCD
Abstract
Important progress in understanding the behavior of hadronic matter at high density has been achieved recently, by adapting the techniques of condensed matter theory. At asymptotic densities, the combination of asymptotic freedom and BCS theory make a rigorous analysis possible. New phases of matter with remarkable properties are predicted. They provide a theoretical laboratory within which chiral symmetry breaking and confinement can be studied at weak coupling. They may also playa role in the description of neutron star interiors. We discuss the phase diagram of QCD as a function of temperature and density, and close with a look at possible astrophysical signatures.
- Publication:
-
At the Frontier of Particle Physics: Handbook of QCD (in 3 Vols). Edited by SHIFMAN M. Published by World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd
- Pub Date:
- 2001
- DOI:
- 10.1142/9789812810458_0043
- arXiv:
- arXiv:hep-ph/0011333
- Bibcode:
- 2001afpp.book.2061R
- Keywords:
-
- High Energy Physics - Phenomenology;
- Astrophysics;
- Condensed Matter;
- High Energy Physics - Theory;
- Nuclear Theory
- E-Print:
- 91 pages. latex with sprocl.sty. 6 eps figures. To appear as Chapter 35 in the Festschrift in honor of B. L. Ioffe, "At the Frontier of Particle Physics / Handbook of QCD", M. Shifman, ed., (World Scientific). v2: References corrected