English

Superconductivity of QCD vacuum in strong magnetic field

High Energy Physics - Phenomenology 2011-04-12 v2 Superconductivity High Energy Physics - Lattice High Energy Physics - Theory

Abstract

We show that in a sufficiently strong magnetic field the QCD vacuum may undergo a transition to a new phase where charged ρ±\rho^\pm mesons are condensed. In this phase the vacuum behaves as an anisotropic inhomogeneous superconductor which supports superconductivity along the axis of the magnetic field. In the directions transverse to the magnetic field the superconductivity is absent. The magnetic-field-induced anisotropic superconductivity -- which is realized in the cold vacuum, i.e. at zero temperature and density -- is a consequence of a nonminimal coupling of the ρ\rho mesons to the electromagnetic field. The onset of the superconductivity of the charged ρ±\rho^\pm mesons should also induce an inhomogeneous superfluidity of the neutral ρ0\rho^0 mesons. We also argue that due to simple kinematical reasons a strong enough magnetic field makes the lifetime of the ρ\rho mesons longer by closing the main channels of the strong decays of the ρ\rho mesons into charged pions.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1008.1055,
  title  = {Superconductivity of QCD vacuum in strong magnetic field},
  author = {M. N. Chernodub},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1008.1055},
  year   = {2011}
}

Comments

17 pages, 9 figures; v2: one figure and references are added, quality of figures is improved, a comment about a superconducting electroweak phase is added, published version