Inhomogeneous instabilities in high-density QCD

TL;DR

This paper uses the functional renormalisation group to analyze inhomogeneous instabilities in high-density QCD, revealing the moat regime and potential phase transitions relevant for understanding QCD's phase diagram.

Contribution

First self-consistent analysis of the moat regime in high-density QCD using the functional renormalisation group approach, including inhomogeneous instabilities at high baryon chemical potential.

Findings

Mapped out the moat regime in high-density QCD

Identified potential inhomogeneous instabilities at μ_B ≳ 600 MeV

Provided insights into the QCD phase diagram near the chiral crossover

Abstract

QCD at large densities exhibits a moat regime in the scalar-pseudoscalar sector. The resolution of its dynamics is pivotal for the access to the onset of new phases including the potential critical endpoint of QCD. In this work we present the first selfconsistent analysis of this regime with the functional renormalisation group approach to QCD. We map out the moat regime, including a first analysis of potential inhomogeneous instabilities at baryon chemical potential $\mu_B\gtrsim 600$ MeV on the chiral crossover line.