STRONG QCD · Strong-Interaction Physics and the Phase Diagram of Quantum Chromodynamics

This proposal aims to address several outstanding problems in elementary particle and strong interaction physics receiving significant attention in experimental programs around the world. Its central goal is to further unveil the nature of hadrons and hadronic matter based on the theory of strong interactions, Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD), through combining the functional methods of non-perturbative quantum field theory in the continuum and the ab initio and first principles approach of lattice gauge theory. This involves advanced analytical studies and state-of-the-art computational methods. The main components of this proposal are: (a) to understand the most fundamental aspects of QCD, the non-perturbative nature of quark and gluon propagation and its relation to mass generation and confinement; and (b) to study the dynamics of topological objects such as monopoles and vortices and their relevance to phase transitions in theories with more than one gauge group as in the Standard Model. The results from both components will later be combined to devise advanced functional methods to explore the entire QCD phase diagram as probed in the next era of major experimental programs such as ALICE at the LHC and CBM at GSI FAIR.