Simulating plasma instabilities in SU(3) gauge theory

TL;DR

This paper simulates plasma instabilities in SU(3) gauge theory using classical-statistical lattice methods, revealing slower isotropization compared to SU(2) and independence of growth rates from the number of colors.

Contribution

First classical-statistical lattice simulation of plasma instabilities in SU(3) gauge theory relevant for QCD, extending previous SU(2) studies.

Findings

Growth rates are about 25% lower than in SU(2) for the same energy density.

Isotropization process is slower in SU(3) compared to SU(2).

Primary growth rate is independent of the number of colors when scaled by the screening mass.

Abstract

We compute nonequilibrium dynamics of plasma instabilities in classical-statistical lattice gauge theory in 3+1 dimensions. The simulations are done for the first time for the SU(3) gauge group relevant for quantum chromodynamics. We find a qualitatively similar behavior as compared to earlier investigations in SU(2) gauge theory. The characteristic growth rates are about 25 % lower for given energy density, such that the isotropization process is slower. Measured in units of the characteristic screening mass, the primary growth rate is independent of the number of colors.