Heavy ions and string theory

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in applying string theory concepts to heavy ion physics, covering both equilibrium and non-equilibrium phenomena, including holographic models, black hole simulations, and transport properties.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of how string theory techniques are used to understand heavy ion collisions and QCD phenomena, highlighting new models and computational approaches.

Findings

Generalized Bjorken flow models

Numerical simulations of black hole formation

Extraction of transport coefficients from holography

Abstract

We review a selection of recent developments in the application of ideas of string theory to heavy ion physics. Our topics divide naturally into equilibrium and non-equilibrium phenomena. On the non-equilibrium side, we discuss generalizations of Bjorken flow, numerical simulations of black hole formation in asymptotically anti-de Sitter geometries, equilibration in the dual field theory, and hard probes. On the equilibrium side, we summarize improved holographic QCD, extraction of transport coefficients, inclusion of chemical potentials, and approaches to the phase diagram. We close with some possible directions for future research.