Anomalous scattering and transport in chiral matter

Abstract

Chiral anomaly modifies the scattering processes in chiral systems which can be computed using the Maxwell-Chern-Simons theory that couples electrodynamics to the pseudoscalar field $\theta$ describing the topological charge induced be external sources. Assuming slow variation of the topological charge density, the fermion scattering cross section is computed in the Born approximation and is found to have a resonance at the scattering angles proportional to the chiral conductivity. As a result, the transport coefficients are suppressed at high temperatures. The anisotropy of the cross section arises due to the spatial variation of the topological charge; its effect on the electrical conductivity is discussed.

Comments: 14 pages, v2: improved presentation, the role of the chiral instability discussed, typos fixed