The QCD Phase Structure at High Baryon Density

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential existence of an intermediate phase of massive constituent quarks in dense baryonic matter, which may occur between confined nuclear matter and deconfined quark-gluon plasma, challenging the traditional view of simultaneous deconfinement and chiral symmetry restoration.

Contribution

It proposes the concept of a separate intermediate phase with massive quarks, distinct from both confined and deconfined states, and relates it to quarkyonic matter.

Findings

Identification of a possible intermediate phase with massive quarks

Discussion of properties and implications of this phase

Relation to the quarkyonic matter hypothesis

Abstract

We consider the possibility that color deconfinement and chiral symmetry restoration do not coincide in dense baryonic matter at low temperature. As a consequence, a state of massive "constituent" quarks would exist as an intermediate phase between confined nuclear matter and the plasma of deconfined massless quarks and gluons. We discuss the properties of this state and its relation to the recently proposed quarkyonic matter.