Chaos in QCD? Gap equations and their fractal properties

Abstract

We discuss how iterative solutions of QCD inspired gap-equations at finite chemical potential show domains of chaotic behavior as well as non-chaotic domains which represent one or the other of the only two -- usually distinct -- positive mass gap solutions with broken or restored chiral symmetry, respectively. In the iterative approach gap solutions exist which exhibit restored chiral symmetry beyond a certain dynamical cut-off energy. A chirally broken, non-chaotic domain with no emergent mass poles and hence with no quasi-particle excitations exists below this energy cutoff. The transition domain between these two energy separated domains is chaotic. As a result, the dispersion relation is that of quarks with restored chiral symmetry, cut at a dynamical energy scale, determined by fractal structures. We argue that the chaotic origin of the infrared cut-off could hint at a chaotic nature of confinement and the deconfinement phase transition.