Gauge-invariant condensation in the nonequilibrium quark-gluon plasma

Understand

The large density of gluons, which is present shortly after a nuclear collision at very high energies, can lead to the formation of a condensate.

• We identify a gauge-invariant order parameter for condensation based on elementary non-perturbative excitations of the plasma, which are described by spatial Wilson loops.
• Using real-time lattice simulations, we demonstrate that a self-similar transport process towards low momenta builds up a macroscopic zero mode.
• Our findings reveal intriguing similarities to recent discoveries of condensation phenomena out of equilibrium in table-top experiments with ultracold Bose gases.