Extreme states of matter in strong interaction physics

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The thermodynamics of strongly interacting matter is a complex and evolving area in modern physics, encompassing both theoretical and experimental aspects. Statistical quantum chromodynamics serves as the primary theoretical framework, supported by high-energy nuclear collisions in experimental investigations. This primer is designed for young scientists entering this field, offering a self-contained introduction that emphasizes fundamental concepts and the rationale behind research activities. It focuses on equilibrium thermodynamics, beginning with the core ideas of strong interaction thermodynamics and summarizing key concepts and methods for studying complex systems. The text introduces simplified phenomenological models that lead to critical behavior in hadronic matter and hadron-quark phase transitions. It also covers finite-temperature lattice QCD, highlighting significant results from computer simulations. The relationship between critical behavior and symmetry breaking/restoration in QCD is explored, followed by an examination of the QCD phase diagram. The discussion of bulk equilibrium thermodynamics culminates with the properties of the quark-gluon plasma as a new state of strongly interacting matter. The concluding chapters address specific topics related to nuclear collisions as a means to experimentally investigate QCD thermodynamics.