Chromomagnetic instability in dense quark matter

Abstract

The results for the Debye and Meissner screening masses of the gluons and the photon in the case of neutral and beta-equilibrated dense two-flavor quark matter are presented. In the limits of the normal phase and the ideal two-flavor color superconducting phase, the screening masses coincide with the known results. Most interestingly, we find that the Meissner screening masses squared can be negative, indicating a plasma-type chromomagnetic instability in dense quark matter.

5 pages and 2 figures. To appear in Phys. Rev. D; version slightly shortened on request of editors