The Chiral Dynamics of QCD

Dr. Jose Goity
Hampton University
Jefferson National Accelerator Laboratory

Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) is the well established fundamental theory of the strong interactions. The dynamics of its elementary constituents, the quarks and gluons, comprise a wide range of phenomena from the quasi-free high energy to the strongly coupled low energy regimes. At low energies symmetries play a key role, with some of the most fundamental physical phenomena taking place, in particular the dynamical breaking of chiral symmetry, which gives rise to key characteristics of hadrons and nuclei. This talk will introduce that phenomenon, alongside with its main implications and its description in terms of effective theories. Insights from current experiments and lattice QCD simulations will be discussed and open issues yet to be resolved will be highlighted.