QCD at high density: Equation of state for nuclear collisions and neutron stars

TL;DR

This paper introduces a unified chiral mean field model for QCD thermodynamics that accurately describes lattice data, nuclear matter, and astrophysical phenomena, enabling simulations of heavy-ion collisions and neutron star mergers.

Contribution

It presents a novel, comprehensive model that bridges QCD thermodynamics with nuclear and astrophysical constraints, applicable across a wide range of conditions.

Findings

Model reproduces lattice QCD thermodynamics

Satisfies nuclear matter constraints

Applicable to neutron star merger simulations

Abstract

A unified chiral mean field approach is presented for QCD thermodynamics in a wide range of temperatures and densities. The model simultaneously gives a satisfactory description of lattice QCD thermodynamics and fulfills nuclear matter and astrophysical constraints. The resulting equation of state can be incorporated in relativistic fluid-dynamical simulations of heavy-ion collisions and neutron stars mergers. Access to different regions of the QCD phase diagram can be obtained in simulations of heavy-ion data and observations of neutron star mergers.