Cold and Dense Matter in a Magnetic Field

Abstract

Our Universe is full of regions where extreme physical conditions are realized. Among the most intriguing cases are the so-called magnetars: neutron stars with very dense cores and super-strong magnetic fields. In this paper I review the current understanding of the physical properties of quark matter at ultra-high density in the presence of very large magnetic fields. I will discuss the main results on this topic, the main challenges that still remain, and how they could be related to the physics of magnetars.

arXiv commentTo appear in Proceedings for "Compact stars in the QCD phase diagram II (CSQCD II), May 20-24, 2009, KIAA at Peking University, Beijing - P. R. China [http://vega.bac.pku.edu.cn/rxxu/csqcd.htm]. <http://vega.bac.pku.edu.cn/rxxu/csqcd.htm%5D.>