Transport properties of strongly interacting quantum field theories

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Stefan Flörchinger
• Subject Area: Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Relativity, Fields
• Term: from 2010 to 2012
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 186250132

It is intended to calculate transport properties as viscosity or heat conductivity for quantum field theories with strong interactions. The results serve as input for hydrodynamical simulations which are used to describe current heavy ion experiments (for example at RHIC or at the LHC). The functional renormalization group method will also be used to investigate the universality of transport coefficients. A conjecture recently obtained with string theory methods which predicts that quantum fluctuations lead to a lower bound for the ratio of shear viscosity and entropy density, shall be tested.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: Switzerland
• Host: Professor Dr. Urs Wiedemann