Quantum Chromodynamics and dense matter 2

Course goals

After completion of the course, the student is expected to understand:

1. The relativistic hydrodynamics of ideal and viscous fluids

• Setting the stage: recap of classical hydrodynamics and special relativity
• From classical to realtivistic hydro
• Conservation laws  
• Second order theories and fluid eqautions
• vorticity and sound waves

2. Numerical hydrodynamics

• What are the steps to simulate a relativistc fluid
• Initial stage, pre-equilibrium, hydro expansion and hadronisation processes

3. How to compare simulation results to real data

• What are relevant observables for heavy-ions physics
• How to compare simulations and ALICE experiment data in order to extract physics parameters for the characterisation of quark-gluon plasma

4. Introduction to “general” realtivistic hydrodynamics and its application to dense objects in the sky (neutron stars)

 

Content

The masters’ course “QCD and dense matter” aims to familiarize with viscous relativistic hydrodynamics and it’s application to fudamental science: namely to heavy-ion collisions and to dense objects in the sky. After a first half of the course, where the student will understand the fundations of realvitic hydrodynamics, the conservation laws and fluid equations, the course will introduce the student to numerical hydro and it’s application to heavy-ion physics. A typical simulation will be discussed with particular focus on initial conditions and hydro expansion. This part will prelude the discussion on how to compare simulation results with real experimetal data from ALICE experiment at CERN in order to extract physics parameters. The course will conclude with a gentle introduction to general relativistic hydro and its importance in the description of dense astronomical objects.