On the quarkyonic phase in the holographic approach

Abstract

We study the problem of the existence of the quarkyonic phase in quantum chromodynamics. This phase can exists under certain conditions in quantum chromodynamics along with the phase of free quarks and the confinement phase. As is known, the confinement phase is characterized by the presence of a linear potential between quarks, and the quarks are confined to one hadron (meson or baryon). A linear potential between quarks also exists in the quarkyonic phase; however, it is not so strong to confine quarks inside one hadron. The characteristics of the quarkyonic phase, as well as the confinement phase, can be calculated in quantum chromodynamics only in a nonperturbative framework. We interpret the previously obtained results of Wilson loop calculations in the holographic approach in terms of a phase transition to the quarkyonic phase.