QCD at Finite Isospin Density

D. T. Son and M. A. Stephanov
Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 592 – Published 22 January 2001
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Abstract

QCD at finite isospin chemical potential μI has no fermion sign problem and can be studied on the lattice. We solve this theory analytically in two limits: at low μI, where chiral perturbation theory is applicable, and at asymptotically high μI, where perturbative QCD works. At low isospin density the ground state is a pion condensate, whereas at high density it is a Fermi liquid with Cooper pairing. The pairs carry the same quantum numbers as the pion. This leads us to conjecture that the transition from hadron to quark matter is smooth, which passes several tests. Our results imply a nontrivial phase diagram in the space of temperature and chemical potentials of isospin and baryon number.

  • Received 31 May 2000

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.86.592

©2001 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

D. T. Son1,3 and M. A. Stephanov2,3

  • 1Physics Department, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027
  • 2Department of Physics, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois 60607-7059
  • 3RIKEN-BNL Research Center, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973

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Vol. 86, Iss. 4 — 22 January 2001

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