Models of mixed hadron-quark-gluon matter

TL;DR

This paper explores the theoretical possibilities of mixed hadron-quark-gluon matter, classifying different types, analyzing their stability, and considering dynamic and static instabilities relevant for experimental comparison.

Contribution

It provides a classification of mixed hadron-quark-gluon matter types and discusses their stability criteria and potential instabilities, guiding experimental verification.

Findings

Multiple types of mixed matter are possible.

Stability analysis distinguishes stable, metastable, and unstable states.

Counterflow instability can cause stratification of mixed matter.

Abstract

The problem of the possible creation of mixed hadron-quark-gluon matter, that can arise at nuclear or heavy-ion collisions, is addressed. It is shown that there can exist several different kinds of such a mixed matter. The main types of this matter can be classified onto macroscopic mixture, mesoscopic mixture, and microscopic mixture. Different types of these mixtures require principally different descriptions. Before comparing theoretical results with experiments, one has to analyze thermodynamic stability of all these mixed states, classifying them onto unstable, metastable, and stable. Only the most stable mixed state should be compared with experiment. Mixed states also need to be checked with regard to stratification instability. In addition to the static stratification instability, there can happen dynamic instability occurring in a mixture of components moving with respect to each other. This effect, called counterflow instability, has also to be taken into account, since it can lead to the stratification of mixed matter.