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Finite density effects in gauge theories

University of British Columbia

Various effects of finite fermionic densities in gauge theories are studied. The phase structure of SU(N) gauge theories with fermions as a function of imaginary chemical potential is related to the confining properties of the theory. This phase structure is controlled by a remnant of the Z[sub N] symmetry which is present in the absence of fermions. At high temperature the theory has a first-order phase transition as a function of imaginary chemical potential. This transition is expected to be absent in the low-temperature phase. It is shown that properties of the theory at nonzero fermion density can be deduced from its behaviour at finite imaginary chemical potential. Anomalies in gauge theories are introduced using various two-dimensional models. In particular, the chiral Schwinger model is shown to be consistent despite being anomalous. The effects of finite densities in anomalous gauge theories is investigated. It is found that, contrary to some recent claims, an effective Harniltonian (obtained by integrating out the fermions) cannot be obtained by the simple inclusion of a Chern-Simons term multiplying the fermionic chemical potential. The importance of dynamical effects is stressed and a mechanism for producing primordial magnetic field is suggested.

Text

2010-10-18

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/29272

Physics

University of British Columbia

Graduate