Magnetic fields in heavy ion collisions: effects on obserbables

Abstract

Many aspects of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) can be probed in the laboratory in experiments involving Heavy Ion Collisions (HIC). In particular this kind of experiment aims to reproduce some of the features of the matter generated instants after the big bang: the Quark Gluon Plasma (QGP). Although data on HIC have improved considerably our knowledge on QCD, the huge background and screening effects, and the fact that several processes must be considered simultaneously make the data analysis intricate and some results may remain ambiguous. The objective of this project is shed light on the effects that a strong magnetic field generated in non-central collisions have on some of the QGP observables. We are especially interested in a link between QCD and analogous planar condensed matter systems that can allow us to gain insight on fundamental topics in QCD on a more controlled tabletop experiment that can be performed in a number of laboratories worldwide, including Brazil. (AU)