Equilibration of the Quark-Gluon Plasma at Finite Net-Baryon Density in QCD Kinetic Theory

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Abstract
We explore the out-of-equilibrium dynamics of the quark-gluon plasma at zero and finite net-baryon density based on an effective kinetic theory of quantum chromodynamics (QCD). By investigating the isotropization of the longitudinal pressure, we determine the relevant time and temperature scales for the onset of viscous hydrodynamics and quantify the dependence on the chemical composition of the quark-gluon plasma. By extrapolating our results to realistic coupling strength, we discuss phenomenological consequences regarding the role of the preequilibrium phase at different collision energies.
Funding Information
  • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (315477589 TRR 211)
  • National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center
  • U.S. Department of Energy (DE-AC02-05CH11231)
  • Office of Science
  • Paderborn Center for Parallel Computing