Calculating QCD at high densities with functional methods

by Franz Sattler (Heidelberg University)

Thursday 26 Jun 2025, 14:00 → 15:30 Europe/Berlin

Abbeanum/1-HS2 - Straubel-HS (TPI, FSU Jena)

I discuss recent progress towards calculating the QCD phase diagram at finite density using the functional Renormalisation Group (fRG). After introducing the fRG and the most relevant concepts of QCD, I explain the challenges encountered in functional approaches to the QCD phase diagram.

Most of these can be resolved by the recent development of advanced numerical methods in numerical fRG approaches. In particular, the application of numerical hydrodynamics to RG flows and the scalability of our numerics to very large systems reach towards quantitative access in the region of the conjectured critical end-point (CEP) of the QCD phase diagram.

An interesting result of the application thereof is the appearance of spatial modulations (the moat regime) and inhomogeneous phases at high densities, arising from a self-consistent first-principle calculation. For the near future, a clear program emerges to further pinpoint the CEP and its nature using the fRG.