Quark-Gluon Plasma and Topological Quantum Fields Theory

TL;DR

This paper proposes a topological quantum field theory model for the quark-gluon plasma near the critical temperature, suggesting it behaves as a topologically ordered fluid, which explains many observed phenomena.

Contribution

It introduces a novel low energy effective field theory for QGP based on topological order, linking condensed matter concepts to high-energy physics.

Findings

QGP behaves like a topological fluid below a certain temperature

Topological order explains exotic phenomena observed at RHIC

QGP can be modeled using topological quantum field theory

Abstract

Based on an analogy with topologically ordered new state of matter in condensed matter systems, we propose a low energy effective field theory for a parity conserving liquid-like quark-gluon plasma (QGP) around critical temperature in quantum chromodynamics (QCD) system. It shows that below a QCD gap which is expected several times of the critical temperature, the QGP behaves like topological fluid. Many exotic phenomenon of QGP near the critical temperature discovered at RHIC are more readily understood by the suggestion that QGP is a topologically ordered state.