Dr. Yuki Fujimoto
Berkeley
From Quarks to Neutron Stars: The Condensed Matter Physics of Quantum Chromodynamics
Location: 1080 Physics Research Building
Faculty Host: Yuri Kovchegov
Abstract: Quantum chromodynamics (QCD) is the fundamental theory governing the strong interaction between quarks. A neutron star can be viewed as the condensed matter system of QCD. In principle, the properties of neutron stars can be derived from QCD, but the high-density regime presents significant theoretical challenges due to the lack of nonperturbative computational methods. From a theoretical perspective, dense QCD offers a fascinating arena where various phenomena emerge, including confinement, symmetry breaking, (color) superconductivity, and superfluidity.
In this talk, I will discuss recent efforts to understand the thermodynamic properties and phase structure of dense QCD, which are crucial for unraveling the structure and internal composition of a neutron star. I will also explore how insights from astrophysics, terrestrial experiments, and numerical simulations of lattice gauge theory can help deepen our understanding of both neutron stars and dense QCD.
Bio: Yuki Fujimoto is a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, Berkeley, studying the equation of state of dense nuclear and quark matter and gravitational waves from binary neutron star mergers. After receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo, he worked as a postdoctoral scholar at the Institute for Nuclear Theory, University of Washington. His work has been recognized with an Editors' suggestion for Phys. Rev. D and Young Scientist Award from the Physical Society of Japan.
