Thermoelectric and heavy quark transport coefficients of hot QCD matter in the presence of magnetic field

TL;DR

This thesis investigates thermoelectric responses and heavy quark transport in hot QCD matter under magnetic fields, revealing how magnetic fields influence these properties through kinetic theory calculations.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive analysis of thermoelectric coefficients and heavy quark transport coefficients in QGP with magnetic fields, including anisotropic effects.

Findings

Thermoelectric coefficients increase with magnetic field strength.

Heavy quark diffusion coefficients are enhanced by magnetic fields.

Spatial diffusion coefficient decreases in the presence of magnetic fields.

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is twofold: a) A comprehensive study of the thermoelectric response in QGP in the absence and presence of a background magnetic field, b) Exploring the dynamics of heavy quarks traversing in QGP in the presence of a weak background magnetic field. We have evaluated the strength of the thermoelectric response in QGP quantified by the Seebeck and Nernst coefficients, first in the absence of a background magnetic field, and then in the presence of a strong magnetic field. This is followed by the evaluation of the coefficients in the presence of a weak magnetic field. Each of the above-mentioned scenarios is investigated under the assumption that the QGP is isotropic. This assumption is then relaxed by using an anisotropic distribution for the quarks, and the calculations are repeated. The formalism adopted in the calculation of these coefficients is that of kinetic theory, particularly, the relativistic Boltzmann equation in the relaxation time approximation. The other part of this thesis deals with heavy quark (HQ) dynamics in the QGP. HQs have been recognised as very good probes of the QGP owing to their large masses. We have calculated the HQ energy loss $dE/dx$, longitudinal and transverse momentum diffusion coeffcients $\kappa L/T^3$ , and spatial diffusion coefficient $D_s$ , to leading order in the strong coupling $\alpha$, for both charm and bottom quarks. We consider Coulomb scattering of the HQ with thermal quarks and gluons to evaluate the scattering rate from which, all the aforementioned coefficients are obtained. We find that the values of $\kappa$'s increase in the presence of a weak magnetic field (compared to the $B = 0$ case), and the anisotropy therein is also heightened in the presence of the magnetic field. $D_s$ is found to decrease in the presence of magnetic field, compared to its value at $B = 0$.