World-line formulation of chiral kinetic theory in topological background gauge fields

TL;DR

This paper develops a relativistic chiral kinetic theory using world-line formulation, clarifying Berry's phase effects and connecting quantum field theory with classical and hydrodynamic descriptions in topological gauge backgrounds.

Contribution

It introduces a novel world-line based framework for chiral kinetic theory, distinguishing Berry's phase effects from the chiral anomaly, and links quantum, classical, and hydrodynamic regimes.

Findings

Framework distinguishes Berry's phase from anomaly effects

Connects quantum field theory with classical simulations

Applicable to early and late-time dynamics in QGP

Abstract

In heavy-ion collisions, an interesting question of phenomenological relevance is how the chiral imbalance generated at early times persists through a fluctuating background of sphalerons in addition to other "non-anomalous" interactions with the QGP. To address this question, we construct a relativistic chiral kinetic theory using the world-line formulation of quantum field theory. We outline how Berry's phase arises in this framework, and how its effects can be clearly distinguished from those arising from the chiral anomaly. We further outline how this framework can be matched to classical statistical simulations at early times and to anomalous chiral hydrodynamics at late times.