Nuclear physics from lattice QCD at strong coupling

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Physics
• Quantum Chromodynamics
• Computational Physics

Background:

• Lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD) is a crucial framework for studying the behavior of quarks and gluons.
• Understanding the phase diagram of QCD at finite temperature and density is essential for nuclear physics.
• The strong coupling limit offers a simplified yet insightful regime for theoretical exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To numerically investigate the strong coupling limit of lattice QCD with massless staggered quarks.
• To map the complete phase diagram in terms of temperature and chemical potential.
• To characterize the low-temperature dense phase as strongly bound nuclear matter and determine atomic nuclei masses.

Main Methods:

• Numerical simulations of lattice QCD.
• Analysis of the phase diagram, including identification of a tricritical point.
• Measurement of the nuclear potential to explain matter binding.
• Calculation of atomic nuclei masses up to A=12.

Main Results:

• The complete phase diagram of lattice QCD in the strong coupling limit was determined.
• A tricritical point was identified within the phase diagram.
• The low-temperature dense phase was confirmed as strongly bound nuclear matter.
• The nuclear potential was measured, explaining the binding mechanism.
• Masses for atomic nuclei up to carbon (A=12) were calculated.

Conclusions:

• The strong coupling limit of lattice QCD provides a valuable model for understanding nuclear matter.
• First-principles calculations can yield realistic predictions for nuclear properties, including masses.
• The study clarifies the nature of dense nuclear matter from fundamental principles.