prof. David Blaschke (Uniwersytet Rostock)

Quantum fields under extreme conditons in compact stars, heavy-ion collisions and lasers

The exploration of matter under the extreme conditions of high densitites, temperatures and strong fields is a challenging task for theoretical and experimantal research since it allows to test our concepts of phase transitions and mechanisms for the creation of matter from the vacuum. I will characterize the present status of the search for the quark-gluon plasma in heavy-ion collisions at CERN SPS and RHIC and in the interiors of compact stars. A rather detailed picture of the phase diagram of Quantum Chromodynamics is emerging with similarities to other strongly correalated systems in nature, where superconductivity and superfluidity occur. The project of a new accelerator complex at GSI Darmstadt may provide ideal conditions for the exploration of these aspects including the critical point in the QCD phase diagram. For the studies of fundamental aspects such as particle creation from vacuum in strong external fields (Schwinger mechanism) future Exawatt and Zetawatt lasers will provide necessary critical intesities. The creation of the quark-gluon plasma using laser accelerators is one of the options for the future.