Extreme states of matter in strong interaction physics: an introduction

The thermodynamics of strongly interacting matter remains a profound and challenging area of modern physics, both in theory and in experiment. Statistical quantum chromodynamics, through analytical as well as numerical studies, provides the main theoretical tool, while in experiment, high-energy nuclear collisions are the key for extensive laboratory investigations. The field therefore straddles statistical, particle and nuclear physics, both conceptually and in the methods of investigation used. This course-tested primer addresses above all the many young scientists starting their scientific research in this field, providing them with a general, self-contained introduction that emphasizes in particular the basic concepts and ideas, with the aim of explaining why we do what we do. To achieve this goal, the present text concentrates mainly on equilibrium thermodynamics: first, the fundamental ideas of strong interaction thermodynamics are introduced and then the main concepts and methods used in the study of the physics of complex systems are summarized. Subsequently, simplified phenomenological pictures, leading to critical behavior in hadronic matter and to hadron-quark phase transitions are introduced, followed by elements of finite-temperature lattice QCD leading to the important results obtained incomputer simulation studies of the lattice approach. Next, the relation of the resulting critical behavior to symmetry breaking/restoration in QCD is clarified before the text turns to the study of the QCD phase diagram. The presentation of bulk equilibrium thermodynamics is completed by introducing the new state of matter called quark-gluon plasma. The final chapters of the book are devoted to more specific topics which arise when nuclear collisions are considered as a tool for the experimental study of QCD thermodynamics. Conceived as self-contained primer for newcomers to this field of research. Authored by a leading scientist. Pedagogical approach, based on numerous courses and lectures given over two decades. INDICE: The Analysis of Dense Matter. The Physics of Complex Systems. The Limits of Hadron Physics. From Hadrons to Quarks. Statistical Quantum Chromodyanamics. Broken Symmetries. The QCD Phase Diagram. The Quark-Gluon Plasma. TheLittle Bang. Probing the Quark-Gluon Plasma. The Fireball Paradigm. The EventHorizon of Color Confinement. Outlook.

• ISBN: 978-3-642-23907-6
• Editorial: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
• Encuadernacion: Rústica
• Páginas: 247
• Fecha Publicación: 30/11/2011
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés