Higher Anomalies, Higher Symmetries, and Cobordisms III: QCD Matter Phases Anew

Understand

We explore QCD$_4$ quark matter, the $\mu$-T (chemical potential-temperature) phase diagram, possible 't Hooft anomalies, and topological terms, via non-perturbative tools of cobordism theory and higher anomaly matching.

• We focus on quarks in 3-color and 3-flavor on bi-fundamentals of SU(3), then analyze the continuous and discrete global symmetries and pay careful attention to finite group sectors.
• We input constraints from $T=CP$ or $CT$ time-reversal symmetries, implementing QCD on unorientable spacetimes and distinct topology.
• Examined phases include the high T QGP (quark-gluon plasma/liquid), the low T ChSB (chiral symmetry breaking), 2SC (2-color superconductivity) and CFL (3-color-flavor locking superconductivity) at high density.