SU(2) Yang-Mills Theory: Waves, Particles, and Quantum Thermodynamics

TL;DR

This paper explores how quantum thermodynamics at temperature T emerges from classical SU(2) Yang-Mills theory, linking classical solutions to quantum and wave-like excitations in a unified framework.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach connecting classical Yang-Mills solutions to quantum thermodynamics and particle-wave duality.

Findings

Thermal ground state constructed from classical solutions.

Unified description of wave and particle excitations.

Insights into the emergence of quantum thermodynamics from classical gauge theory.

Abstract

We elucidate how Quantum Thermodynamics at temperature $T$ emerges from pure and classical SU(2) Yang-Mills theory on a four-dimensional Euclidean spacetime slice $S_1\times {\bf R}^3$. The concept of a (deconfining) thermal ground state, composed of certain solutions to the fundamental, classical Yang-Mills equation, allows for a unified addressation of both (classical) wave- and (quantum) particle-like excitations thereof.