https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-026-02262-6
Regular Article
Inhomogeneous instabilities in high-density QCD
1
Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität Heidelberg, Philosophenweg 16, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
2
ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung mbH, Planckstr. 1, 64291, Darmstadt, Germany
3
Fakultät für Physik, Universität Bielefeld, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
4
Institut für Theoretische Physik, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 16, 35392, Gießen, Germany
5
Helmholtz Research Academy Hesse for FAIR (HFHF), Campus Gießen, Gießen, Germany
a
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Received:
23
December
2025
Accepted:
4
March
2026
Published online:
17
April
2026
Abstract
QCD at large densities exhibits a moat regime in the scalar–pseudoscalar sector. The resolution of its dynamics is pivotal for the access to the onset of new phases including the potential critical end point of QCD. In this work we present the first self-consistent analysis of this regime with the functional renormalisation group approach to QCD. We map out the moat regime, including a first analysis of potential inhomogeneous instabilities at baryon chemical potential 
MeV on the chiral crossover line.
© The Author(s) 2026
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