Magnetic Scenario for the QCD Fluid at RHIC

TL;DR

This paper explores a magnetic scenario for the quark-gluon plasma at RHIC, using lattice data to understand magnetic monopoles and their role in the fluid's near-perfect fluidity through Lorentz trapping effects.

Contribution

It introduces a magnetic component model for the QCD fluid, detailing how magnetic monopoles influence plasma properties and fluidity near the critical temperature.

Findings

Magnetic monopole density varies with temperature.

Lorentz trapping explains the short dissipation length.

Magnetic and electric charge mixture maximizes fluidity.

Abstract

We present new developments of the "magnetic scenario" for the QCD Fluid observed at RHIC. The recent lattice data for finite T monopoles are used to pin down the parameters of the magnetic component of quark-gluon plasma: in particular we show how the magnetic density and plasma coupling $\Gamma_M$ change with $T$. We then discuss one central issue imposed by the heavy ion data: i.e. the extremely short dissipation length in the QCD fluid around $T_c$. We show that the Lorentz trapping effect, present only in a plasma with both electric and magnetic charges and maximal for an equal 50%-50% mixture, is the microscopic mechanism leading to the nearly perfect fluidity.