Toward the theory of strongly coupled Quark-Gluon Plasma

Although at temperatures $T\gg \Lambda_{QCD}$ the quark-gluon plasma (QGP) is a gas of weakly interacting quasiparticles (modulo long-range magnetism), it is strongly interacting in the regime $T=(1-3) T_c$. As both heavy ion experiments and lattice simulations are now showing, in this region the QGP displays rather strong interactions between the constituents. In this paper we investigate the relationship between four (previously disconnected) lattice results: {\bf i.} spect...

The wake induced in a hot QCD medium by a high momentum parton (jet precursor) is calculated in the framework of linear response theory. Two different scenarios are discussed: a weakly coupled quark gluon plasma (pQGP) as described by hard-thermal loop (HTL) perturbation theory and a strongly cupled QGP (sQGP) with the properties of a quantum liquid. In the latter case the wake could exhibit a pronounced Mach cone structure. This physical mechanism could be important for the ...

This talk includes a discussion of recent theory developments in the areas related to ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions. It includes the topics of the Quark Gluon Plasma, Color Glass Condensate, Glasma and Quarkyonic Matter.

A strongly coupled quark-gluon plasma (QGP) of heavy constituent quasi-particles is studied by a path-integral Monte-Carlo method. This approach is a quantum generalization of the model developed by Gelman, Shuryak and Zahed. It is shown that this method is able to reproduce the QCD lattice equation of state and also yields valuable insight into the internal structure of the QGP. The results indicate that the QGP reveals liquid-like rather than gas-like properties. At tempera...

Starting with a reminder of what is strongly coupled Quark-Gluon Plasma (sQGP), we proceed to recent advances in jet quenching and heavy quark diffusion, with a brief summary of various results based on AdS/CFT correspondence. The conical flow is a hydrodynamical phenomenon created by energy and entropy deposited by high energy jets propagating in matter, similar in nature to well known sonic boom from the supersonic planes. After a brief review, we discuss excitations of two...

This article reviews recent progress of QCD phase structure, including color superconductor at high baryon density and strongly interacting quark-gluon plasma (sQGP) at high temperature created through relativistic heavy ion collision. A brief overview is given on the discovery of sQGP at RHIC. The possibility of locating the critical end point (CEP) from the property of bulk viscosity over entropy density is discussed. For the phase structure at high baryon density, the stat...

We discuss two special limiting forms of QCD matter which may be produced at RHIC. We conclude from the available empirical evidence that an equilibrated, but strongly coupled Quark Gluon Plasma has been made in such collisions. We also discuss the growing body of evidence that its source is a Color Glass Condensate.

Ultrarelativistic collisions between heavy nuclei briefly generate the quark-gluon plasma (QGP), a new state of matter characterized by deconfined partons last seen microseconds after the Big Bang. The properties of the QGP are of intense interest, and a large community has developed over several decades, to produce, measure and understand this primordial plasma. The plasma is now recognized to be a strongly-coupled fluid with remarkable properties, and hydrodynamics is commo...

Quenching is a recently discovered phenomenon in which QCD jets created in heavy ion collisions deposit a large fraction or even all their energy and momentum into the produced matter. At RHIC and higher energies, where that matter is a strongly coupled Quark-Gluon Plasma (sQGP) with very small viscosity, we suggest that this energy/momentum propagate as a collective excitation or ``conical flow''. Similar hydrodynamical phenomena are well known, e.g. the so called sonic boom...

As implied by organizers, this talk is not a conference summary but rather an outline of progress/challenges/``frontiers'' of the theory. Some fundamental questions addressed are: Why is sQGP such a good liquid? Do we understand (de)confinement and what do we know about ``magnetic'' objects creating it? Can we understand the AdS/CFT predictions, from the gauge theory side? Can they be tested experimentally? Can AdS/CFT duality help us understand rapid equilibration/entropy ...