From Gluon Topology to Quark Chirality: Novel Phenomena in Heavy Ion Collisions

核物质是我们宇宙中所有可见物质的核心。它的基本定律被认为是一种基于夸克和胶子的基本粒子的量子场论（称为量子色动力学或QCD）。核物质的各种形态和性质究竟是如何从这些夸克和胶子中产生的，这仍然是物理学中的重大挑战之一。该项目将通过研究极端条件下的核物质，如在超高温或超强磁场下，通过高能对撞机实验来帮助解决这一挑战。PI将研究QCD的拓扑成分，通过对撞机实验数据表征该成分的性质，并通过一种称为手性磁效应的新型输运现象寻求其存在的直接证据。PI将指导从事这项研究的研究生和本科生。此外，该项目还将开展外展活动，通过各种当地活动和在线平台，将当前的研究成果带给K-12学生和公众。该项目的目的是研究量子色动力学（QCD）在极高温度下夸克-胶子等离子体（QGP）相的非微扰动力学，例如今天在相对论重离子对撞机（RHIC）和大型强子对撞机（LHC）的实验室实验中产生的动力学。关键方法是研究胶子拓扑组分的性质，并通过与夸克手性相关的新型输运现象寻找其表现形式。将探讨三个具体主题。首先是建立拓扑分量的统计系综模型，研究如何解释QCD约束跃迁和定量描述相关晶格QCD数据。二是利用贝叶斯推理方法与实验数据进行系统比较，量化拓扑分量对QGP关键输运性质的贡献。第三是研究通过夸克手性波动的胶子拓扑表现，这可以通过手性磁效应进行实验探测，并通过PI团队开发的最先进的建模框架进行理论模拟。所有这些结合起来，该项目将有助于表征胶子拓扑成分，并提供对QCD非微扰动力学的深入理解。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Nuclear matter is at the heart of all visible matter in our universe. Its basic law has been identified as a quantum field theory (known as Quantum Chromodynamics or QCD) based on fundamental particles called quarks and gluons. Precisely how the various forms and properties of nuclear matter arise from these quarks and gluons remains one of the grand challenges in physics. This project will help address this challenge by studying nuclear matter under extreme conditions such as at super hot temperatures or in super strong magnetic fields, which are available via high energy collider experiments. The PI will study the topological component of QCD, characterize the properties of this component via collider experimental data, and seek direct evidence of its presence through a novel transport phenomenon called the Chiral Magnetic Effect. The PI will mentor students engaged in this research at both graduate and undergraduate levels. In addition the project will develop outreach activities that bring current research to K-12 students as well as the general public through a variety of local events and online platforms. The objective of this project is to investigate the non-perturbative dynamics of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) in its quark-gluon plasma (QGP) phase at extremely high temperatures, such as those produced in today's laboratory experiments at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The key approach is to study the properties of the gluon topological component as well as to search for its manifestation via novel transport phenomenon related to quark chirality. Three specific topics will be explored. The first is to develop a statistical ensemble model of the topological component and study how it can explain the QCD confinement transition and quantitatively describe relevant lattice QCD data. The second is to quantify the contributions to key transport properties of QGP from the topological component by systematical comparison with experimental data utilizing Beyesian inference methodology. The third is to investigate the manifestation of gluon topology via quark chirality fluctuations which could be experimentally probed through the Chiral Magnetic Effect and theoretically simulated by a state-of-the-art modeling framework developed by the PI's group. With all these combined, the project will help characterize the gluon topological component and provide a deep understanding of the QCD non-perturbative dynamics.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.