Anisotropy of magnetized quark matter

TL;DR

This paper investigates how strong magnetic fields in non-central heavy-ion collisions induce anisotropy in quark matter's thermodynamic properties, using a specific theoretical model to quantify effects on sound speed and compressibility.

Contribution

It applies the Polyakov loop extended Nambu Jona-Lasinio model to quantify anisotropic effects in magnetized quark matter at zero baryon chemical potential.

Findings

Anisotropy in the speed of sound increases with magnetic field strength.

Isothermal compressibility shows directional dependence under magnetic fields.

Results provide insights into early-stage collision dynamics.

Abstract

Strong transient magnetic fields are generated in non-central relativistic heavy-ion collisions. These fields induce anisotropy within the strongly interacting medium that, in principle, can affect the thermodynamic properties of the medium. We use the Polyakov loop extended Nambu Jona-Lasinio model to study the quark matter subjected to an external magnetic field at vanishing baryon chemical potential ($\mu_{B}$). We have estimated the degree of anisotropy in the speed of sound and isothermal compressibility within the magnetized quark matter as a function of temperature ($T$) and magnetic field ($eB$). This study helps us to understand the extent of directionality generated in the initial stages of non-central collisions while giving us useful information about the system.