Unlocking the Secrets of Proton Pressures and Forces

March 15, 2024

Gravitational Insights Without Gravitons: A New Era in Particle Physics

In a groundbreaking shift within particle physics, the conventional belief that gravitational experiments at the proton's scale were unfeasible has been overturned. Leveraging the innovative technique of two-photon scattering, scientists have bypassed the need for direct gravitational interaction experiments. This has led to the monumental discovery of the proton's internal pressures and forces, revealing an intensity of pressures previously thought to be accessible only in the cosmos's most extreme environments. This leap forward enriches our understanding of the fundamental particles that compose our universe, illuminating the intricate dance of forces at play within the seemingly simple proton.

Read the full story here: Swirling Forces, Crushing Pressures Measured in the Proton

Highlights

• Understanding the energy-momentum tensor is essential for grasping the distribution of matter and energy within protons.
• Experiments previously thought impossible due to the weakness of gravity can now be conducted with photon scattering, offering insights into the proton's internal properties.
• The discovery of the Druck term, representing the proton's pressures and forces, marks a significant advancement in particle physics.
• Innovative use of two-photon scattering experiments enables indirect access to properties traditionally associated with gravitational interactions.
• The measurements reveal extreme pressures within the proton, providing new understanding of its stability and internal dynamics.

The exploration of the proton's interior has long posed a challenge to physicists, given the elusive nature of gravitational effects within such a minute scale. Peter Schweitzer, a theoretical physicist, has focused on understanding the proton's energy-momentum tensor—a key to unlocking the distribution of matter and energy. This knowledge is crucial for decoding gravitational behaviors as described by Einstein's theory of general relativity, providing insights into how mass and energy dictate the curvature of space-time around particles like protons.

Traditional methods of studying the proton's internal properties through gravitational experiments were deemed impractical due to the weak influence of gravity at the quantum level. However, the path was cleared by Xiangdong Ji, Maxim Polyakov, and the work of others who proposed that a two-photon scattering experiment could yield equivalent information to that of a hypothetical graviton-scattering experiment. This innovative approach allowed researchers to indirectly measure the proton's energy-momentum tensor, overcoming the significant obstacles posed by gravity's faint signature in particle interactions.

The culmination of this research at Jefferson Lab, where physicists managed to detect the elusive Druck term reflecting the proton's internal pressures and forces, marks a historic moment in particle physics. Analyzing data from about 500,000 graviton-mimicking collisions, the team discovered that the proton experiences enormous pressures, with surprising stability results that contribute to our understanding of its inherent stability and the mechanics at play within its core. This breakthrough not only sheds light on the fundamental properties of protons but also establishes a novel way of exploring the microcosm's gravitational mysteries without direct gravitational experimentation.

Read the full article here.

Essential Insights

• Peter Schweitzer: A theoretical physicist at the University of Connecticut focusing on the gravitational aspects of the proton and the energy-momentum tensor.
• Xiangdong Ji & Maxim Polyakov: Physicists who independently proposed a method to measure the proton's energy-momentum tensor using a two-photon scattering experiment.
• Jefferson Lab: A laboratory where physicists successfully conducted experiments leading to the measurement of the proton's internal pressures and the discovery of the Druck term.
• Druck term: A collective property referring to the arrangement of a proton's pressures and forces, crucial for understanding its mechanical properties.
• Volker Burkert: A member of the Jefferson Lab team who contributed to the groundbreaking discovery of the proton's internal pressures.