In a recent breakthrough, scientists have successfully studied the distribution of energies, forces, and pressure inside the proton for the first time, comparing it to a subatomic planet. Detailed maps of the internal structure of the proton have revealed that the pressure in its nucleus surpasses all known indicators, with swirling forces colliding on their way to the surface. This groundbreaking research, conducted by physicists from the Thomas Jefferson National Laboratory of Accelerators in Newport News, Virginia, opens up a new avenue for understanding the fundamental structure of matter.
Utilizing features of photons to mimic gravitons, researchers were able to indirectly explore how gravity interacts with the proton. This innovative approach allowed them to examine the distribution of energies, pressures, and shearing stresses within the proton, which distort the spatio-temporal continuum around the particle.
The results of experiments carried out in 2018 and published in the journal Nature have revealed extremely high pressure at the core of the proton, exceeding the pressure at the center of a neutron star by tenfold. Additionally, internal forces parallel to the surface of the proton were identified. These findings not only validate the stability of the proton but also offer new insights into understanding its size. Recent estimates suggest that the proton may be 25% smaller than previously thought, measuring around 0.6 femtometers.
This new approach to measuring the dimensions of the proton provides a more accurate understanding of the space curved by its mass and energy, departing from traditional methods based on electric charge. These results not only refine the models used in large Hadron colliders but also shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the binding of quarks to protons.
Future research utilizing an electron-ion collider, currently under construction at the Brookhaven National Laboratory and slated to commence operations in the 2030s, holds promise for delivering even more detailed gravitational maps of protons. Meanwhile, digital experiments conducted by a team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are already aligning with physical research, advancing our comprehension of this fundamental particle and offering novel approaches to unraveling the mysteries of the quantum realm.