Quarks & Co: Dynamical mass generation and restoration in extreme environments (Christian Fischer)

The physics of the strong interaction (QCD) of quarks and gluons has profound
implications for the world we live in. Almost all the mass of visible matter
is generated dynamically by the strong interaction. The loss and/or modification
of this mechanism in extreme environments such as large temperatures or densities
is important for the physics of the early universe, heavy ion collisions and the
interior of neutron stars.

In this colloquium talk we discuss the interplay of dynamical mass generation from
the strong and electroweak interactions and explore the consequences for phase
transitions of the strong interaction at finite temperature and chemical potential.
Using a functional approach to QCD we illustrate the search for a critical end point
and outline possible strategies to explore the onset of new phases in the cold and
dense region of the QCD phase diagram.