Physicists have made a major breakthrough in understanding the structure of the proton, shedding light on the forces that govern subatomic particles. A recent study, published in Reviews of Modern Physics, has revealed new insights into the mechanical properties of the proton, marking a significant advancement in the field of particle physics.
The research, conducted by a team of physicists at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, focused on measuring the distribution of the strong force within the proton. By utilizing deeply virtual Compton scattering (DVCS) during experiments at the facility, the researchers were able to extract valuable data that provided crucial information about the proton’s internal pressure and shear stress on its quarks.
Volker Burkert, the principal staff scientist at Jefferson Lab and lead author of the study, emphasized the significance of the findings, stating, ‘At its peak, this is more than a four-ton force that one would have to apply to a quark to pull it out of the proton.’
The study builds upon previous research from 2018, which focused on measuring the proton’s internal pressure. The utilization of DVCS, combined with the theoretical framework developed by physicist Maxim Polyakov in the early 2000s, allowed the researchers to establish a groundbreaking relationship between deeply virtual Compton scattering and the gravitational form factor, leading to the extraction of both the pressure and the shear force within the proton.
What started as an attempt to obtain three-dimensional imaging of scattering turned into a fortuitous data collection, providing unexpected insights into the strong force’s behavior within the proton. The team’s accidental discovery has significantly altered the way physicists perceive the structure of the proton, paving the way for further advancements in the understanding of subatomic particles.
This groundbreaking research has not only expanded our knowledge of the proton’s mechanical properties but has also opened up new possibilities for studying the fundamental forces that shape the building blocks of matter. The implications of this study extend beyond the realm of particle physics, offering valuable insights into the intricate dynamics of subatomic particles and their interactions.
