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arXiv · hep-ph/0009058

The Phases of QCD in Heavy Ion Collisions and Compact Stars

Krishna Rajagopal
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Abstract

I review arguments for the existence of a critical point in the QCD phase diagram as a function of temperature and baryon chemical potential. I describe how heavy ion collision experiments at the SPS and RHIC can discover the tell-tale signatures of such a critical point, thus mapping this region of the QCD phase diagram. I then review the phenomena expected in cold dense quark matter: color superconductivity and color-flavor locking. I close with a snapshot of ongoing explorations of the implications of recent developments in our understanding of cold dense quark matter for the physics of compact stars.

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Krishna Rajagopal. 2000-09-14. The Phases of QCD in Heavy Ion Collisions and Compact Stars. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1345236

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