All articles tagged with #nuclear matter
Physicists report evidence for an eta-prime mesic nucleus—an exotic, short-lived bound state where an eta-prime meson sits inside a carbon nucleus—hinting that meson mass can change in dense nuclear matter and offering clues about how vacuum structure shapes mass.
A multinational team at GSI/FAIR reports evidence for η′-mesic nuclei in carbon-11, using a high-energy proton beam and detectors (Fragment Separator and WASA) to observe bound η′ states; the data suggest the η′ meson’s mass decreases in dense nuclear matter, supporting theories that particle masses arise from vacuum structure and offering a rare experimental glimpse into mass generation, with further studies planned to confirm the finding.
Scientists at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider have discovered the strongest known magnetic fields inside nuclear matter, generated by the electric current induced in quarks and gluons. These fields surpass the strength of those found in neutron stars, previously considered the strongest, and are significantly stronger than Earth's magnetic field.
Researchers have used computer simulations to study the thermal effects in binary neutron star mergers and their correlation with gravitational waves. By varying the specific heat capacity in the equation of state, they found a strong relationship between the remnant's temperature and the frequency of gravitational waves. Future detectors will be able to distinguish different models of nuclear matter and provide valuable insights into hot nuclear matter.
Physicists have discovered that the creation of quark-gluon plasma (QGP), an exotic state of matter, ceases at the lowest collision energy of 3 GeV. By colliding gold nuclei at varying energies, scientists have mapped out the boundaries between QGP and the hadronic phase, providing insights into the conditions for QGP existence and its transition from ordinary matter. The findings will aid in understanding the phases of nuclear matter and the temperature and density conditions under which QGP can exist.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have used two-dimensional condensed matter physics to understand the behavior of quark interactions in neutron stars, simplifying the study of these dense cosmic entities. By considering interactions in just one spatial dimension (plus time), researchers were able to solve complex equations describing low-energy excitations in dense nuclear matter. This approach provides new insights into the behavior of neutron stars and could lead to advancements in the study of these exotic celestial objects.
Physicists at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) are studying phase changes in nuclear matter from gold ion collisions to identify a critical point in these transformations. Their research, involving recreating and examining the transition of quark-gluon plasma, a state of matter present after the Big Bang, suggests that fluctuations in the formation of lightweight nuclei could indicate this critical point. Certain data deviations hint at potential fluctuations, but further research is required to confirm a discovery.
Scientists have resolved a long-standing issue with a theoretical calculation method known as "axial gauge," which had mistakenly suggested two properties of quark-gluon plasma were identical. The study also made a prediction on gluon distribution measurement, set to be tested in future experiments with the Electron-Ion Collider. The ultimate goal is to understand how complex forms of matter emerge from elementary particles affected by strong forces.