In the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) at Brookhaven, NY, new forms of matter with exceptional properties are formed under extreme density and temperature. The theory of strong interactions (QCD) is highly non-linear, and in this talk I discuss forms of gluonic matter under extreme conditions. One form is the Color Glass Condensate, which is a highly coherent state of gluons with some properties similar to a glass. The other is the Glasma, which is initially formed by coherent longitudinal gluonic electric and magnetic fields, dilutes through expansion, and eventually forms radiation. I discuss the properties of these forms of matter, their origin in the theory of strong interactions, and their relation to the experiments at RHIC.


The Colloquia in Theoretical Physics are aimed for a general audience of students, teachers and researchers interested in physics and the laws of Nature. Coffee will be served after the colloquium outside the lecture room.


Everybody is welcome!


Gösta Gustafson       Sven Åberg


Theoretical physics     Mathematical physics