AdS/CFT and the dynamics of quark-gluon plasma

TL;DR

This paper explores how the AdS/CFT correspondence can be used to understand the real-time dynamics of quark-gluon plasma, covering theoretical models from equilibrium to non-equilibrium states.

Contribution

It reviews the application of AdS/CFT to model strongly coupled quark-gluon plasma dynamics, including various physical regimes and non-equilibrium phenomena.

Findings

Effective dual degrees of freedom identified for strongly coupled systems

Describes the progression from uniform plasma to nonlinear hydrodynamics

Addresses non-equilibrium physics in quark-gluon plasma

Abstract

In this talk we first discuss the motivation for using the AdS/CFT correspondence as a tool for the understanding of real-time dynamics of quark-gluon plasma. After describing the effective dual degrees of freedom for a strongly coupled gauge theory system, we review the subsequent theoretical `layers' in the physics of quark-gluon plasma: a uniform plasma at fixed temperature, linearized fluctuations, nonlinear hydrodynamic behaviour and finally some aspects of addressing non-equilibrium physics. The discussion is brief and aimed at nonspecialists.