Thesis

Investigating the propagation of quarks in a hot medium

• Call:

  IDPASC Portugal - PHD Programme 2017

• Academic Year:

  2017 / 2018

• Domain:

  Theoretical Particle Physics

• Supervisor:

  Paulo Silva

• Co-Supervisor:

  Orlando Oliveira

• Institution:

  Universidade de Coimbra

• Host Institution:

  CFisUC

• Abstract:

  The theory describing strong interactions is Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). One of the puzzling properties of QCD being that its fundamental particles, quarks and gluons, seem not to be observables, i.e. they are not asymptotic states of the scattering matrix. The reasons for the lack of quarks and gluons in the observed spectrum is not yet fully understood and it is believed to be intimately rooted to the non-linear dynamics of QCD. For sufficiently high temperatures the studies of QCD suggest that quark and gluons behave essentially as a gas of free non-interacting particles, i.e. they seem to behave as deconfined particles. The calculation of the fundamental Green’s functions using the lattice formulation of QCD such as the propagators enables a first principles determination of the propagators and, therefore, allows to study the generation of mass scales, i.e. chiral symmetry breaking, and access some of the properties linked to the confinement and deconfinment mechanisms. The knowledge of the mass functions are crucial to the understanding of modern heavy ion experimental programs and for the history of the Universe. In this project we aim to compute, on the lattice, the quark propagator at finite temperature. This will allow to have a clear picture of chiral symmetry breaking and confinement patterns as a function of the temperature. The simulations will be performed using the supercomputer facilities at the University of Coimbra. The candidate will join a team with a large experience in lattice QCD simulations.