Chiral waves in quark matter

TL;DR

This paper reviews non-uniform phases in quark matter, focusing on pion condensation or chiral spirals, and discusses their role in the phase diagram of strongly-interacting matter, especially in the quarkyonic phase.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of chiral density waves in quark matter and their significance in the phase structure of QCD.

Findings

Chiral density waves are important in the phase diagram of quark matter.

Pion condensation can occur in the quarkyonic phase.

Non-uniform phases influence the transition between baryonic matter and quark-gluon plasma.

Abstract

A mini-review of non-uniform phases in quark matter is presented, with particular attention to the pion condensation, also known as chiral density waves or chiral spirals. The phase diagram of strongly-interacting matter may involve such a phase, placed on the quarkyonic island between the baryonic phase and the chirally-restored quark-gluon plasma.