Topology, magnetic field, and strongly interacting matter

Abstract

Gauge theories with compact symmetry groups possess topologically non-trivial configurations of gauge field. This has dramatic implications for the vacuum structure of Quantum Chromo-Dynamics (QCD) and for the behavior of QCD plasma, as well as for condensed matter systems with chiral quasiparticles. I review the current status of the problem with an emphasis on the interplay of chirality with a background magnetic field, and on the observable manifestations of topology in heavy ion collisions, Dirac semimetals, neutron stars, and in the Early Universe.

arXiv comment47 pages, 12 figures; prepared for the Annual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science

Cited by in corpus (4)

• Heavy Quark Diffusion in Strong Magnetic Fields at Weak Coupling and Implications for Elliptic Flow
• Effect of intense magnetic fields on reduced-MHD evolution in $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ = 200 GeV Au+Au collisions
• Critical point in the QCD phase diagram for extremely strong background magnetic fields
• New magnetic field instability and magnetar bursts