The Phases of Quantum Chromodynamics: From Confinement to Extreme Environments

ISBN-13: 9780521804509 / Angielski / Twarda / 2003 / 372 str.

John Kogut; Mikhail Stephanov; T. E. O. Ericson

Opis

This book discusses the physical phases of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) in ordinary environments, as well as in extreme environments with high temperatures and high baryon numbers. Under such extreme conditions, new phases are thought to exist: the quark-gluon plasma and color superconductivity. After introducing lattice gauge theory, John Kogut and Mikhail Stephanov emphasize the application of QCD to the study of matter in extreme environments through a host of methods. These include lattice gauge theory, lower dimensional model field theories and effective Lagrangians.

Recenzje

Review of the hardback: 'The line of argument is elegantly presented and should be appealing and useful to students who want to enter the field and learn the basics of the QCD phase diagram … The Phases of Quantum Chromodynamics gives a well-structured overview of the phases of QCD under extreme conditions … for scientists working in the field, the book is a must. And for those who want to learn more about the fascinating world of QCD under extreme conditions, it is a very good starting point.' Physics Today

Spis treści

1. Introduction; 2. Background to spin systems and critical phenomena; 3. Gauge fields on a four-dimensional Euclidean lattice; 4. Fermions and nonperturbative dynamics in QCD; 5. Lattice fermions and chiral symmetry; 6. Hamiltonian version of lattice-gauge theory; 7. Phase transitions in lattice-gauge theory at high temperatures; 8. Physics of QCD at high temperatures and chemical potentials; 9. Large chemical potentials and color superconductivity; 10. Effective Lagrangians and models of QCD at nonzero chemical potential; 11. Lattice-gauge theory at nonzero chemical potential; 12. Epilogue; References; Index.