CINXE.COM
Scientists Discover Energy and Pressure Analogies Linking Hadrons, Superconductors, and Cosmic Expansion | Jefferson Lab
<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns#"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <meta name="description" content="A depiction of how equilibrium is maintained in hadrons. Pressure from quarks and gluons (outward-pointing purple arrows) balances against pressure from trace anomaly and sigma terms (inward-pointing blue arrows). Image courtesy of Bigeng Wang" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.jlab.org/scientists-discover-energy-and-pressure-analogies-linking-hadrons-superconductors-and-cosmic" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.jlab.org/scientists-discover-energy-and-pressure-analogies-linking-hadrons-superconductors-and-cosmic" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Scientists Discover Energy and Pressure Analogies Linking Hadrons, Superconductors, and Cosmic Expansion" /> <meta property="og:description" content="" /> <meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 10 (https://www.drupal.org)" /> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" /> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <link rel="icon" href="/sites/default/files/jlab-arc-icon.png" type="image/png" /> <title>Scientists Discover Energy and Pressure Analogies Linking Hadrons, Superconductors, and Cosmic Expansion | Jefferson Lab</title> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/libraries/drupal-superfish/css/superfish.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/align.module.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/fieldgroup.module.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/container-inline.module.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/clearfix.module.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/details.module.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/hidden.module.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/item-list.module.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/js.module.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/nowrap.module.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/position-container.module.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/reset-appearance.module.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/resize.module.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/system-status-counter.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/system-status-report-counters.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/system-status-report-general-info.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/tablesort.module.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/misc/components/progress.module.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/misc/components/ajax-progress.module.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/views/css/views.module.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/modules/custom/si_custom_solr_notification/css/si_custom_solr_notification.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/modules/custom/si_popup_blocks/css/si_popup_blocks.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/modules/contrib/better_exposed_filters/css/better_exposed_filters.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/si_theme/assets/bootstrap/css/bootstrap.min.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/si_theme/assets/font-awesome/css/font-awesome.min.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/si_theme/css/lightslider.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/si_theme/css/owl.carousel.min.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/si_theme/css/style.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/si_theme/css/edit.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/si_theme/css/css-tricks.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/si_theme/css/respstyle.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/si_theme/css/overrule.css?sn65vl" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="print" href="/themes/si_theme/css/print-style.css?sn65vl" /> <script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","pathPrefix":"","currentPath":"node\/22580","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en"},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","suppressDeprecationErrors":true,"gtag":{"tagId":"G-Z4NV1HLJBT","consentMode":false,"otherIds":[],"events":[],"additionalConfigInfo":[]},"ajaxPageState":{"libraries":"eJx9kMFuAyEMRH-Ihk9CwM6ybgxG2KTJ33c3lXqINrmMZvzswzjBDCPg3kWxhJV4j-qXaOiUr7t36XyloGFEdkWkMILF4ssur_kSv-PdKYU81aQGFR6hidFKORpJ8x_Ycdelzx4SS76qf8kHtw0VvrCkyF9qD6ZWnM6OsZJu_t-dzcImNwxqhmanXGtk1jyAds4PpzPpO7r_jP6aPNRQfYoKdyP8qH_qpcoyGb9ITZ2A","theme":"si_theme","theme_token":null},"ajaxTrustedUrl":{"\/solr-search":true},"multiselect":{"widths":250},"si_popup_blocks":{"settings":[]},"field_group":{"html_element":{"mode":"default","context":"view","settings":{"classes":"caption-wrap","id":"","element":"div","show_label":false,"label_element":"h3","effect":"none","speed":"fast","formatter":"open","description":"","label_element_classes":"","attributes":""}}},"better_exposed_filters":{"datepicker":true,"datepicker_options":[]},"superfish":{"superfish-menu-top-menu--2":{"id":"superfish-menu-top-menu--2","sf":{"animation":{"opacity":"show","height":"show"},"speed":"fast"},"plugins":{"smallscreen":{"mode":"window_width","title":"Top menu"},"supposition":true,"supersubs":true}},"superfish-menu-top-menu":{"id":"superfish-menu-top-menu","sf":{"animation":{"opacity":"show","height":"show"},"speed":"fast"},"plugins":{"supposition":true,"supersubs":true}}},"user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"22f914043e9ae8eb04313306f5c778584b0fde5610d91f502068d82c31784f99"}}</script> <script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery/jquery.min.js?v=3.7.1"></script> <script src="/core/assets/vendor/once/once.min.js?v=1.0.1"></script> <script src="/core/misc/drupalSettingsLoader.js?v=10.3.1"></script> <script src="/core/misc/drupal.js?v=10.3.1"></script> <script src="/core/misc/drupal.init.js?v=10.3.1"></script> <script src="/core/assets/vendor/tabbable/index.umd.min.js?v=6.2.0"></script> <script src="/modules/contrib/google_tag/js/gtag.js?sn65vl"></script> <script src="/core/misc/progress.js?v=10.3.1"></script> <script src="/core/assets/vendor/loadjs/loadjs.min.js?v=4.3.0"></script> <script src="/core/misc/debounce.js?v=10.3.1"></script> <script src="/core/misc/announce.js?v=10.3.1"></script> <script src="/core/misc/message.js?v=10.3.1"></script> <script src="/core/misc/ajax.js?v=10.3.1"></script> <script src="/modules/contrib/google_tag/js/gtag.ajax.js?sn65vl"></script> </head> <body class="page-nid-22580 type-research not-logged not-front path-node context-scientists-discover-energy-and-pressure-analogies-linking-hadrons-superconductors-and-cosmic"> <div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas> <div id="page-wrapper" class="page-wrapper page-not-front"> <header id="header" class="header" role="header"> <a class="skip-to-main" href="#main-content">Skip to main content</a> <div class="mobile-menu-wrap"> <div> <div class="views-exposed-form bef-exposed-form searchform-top block block-views block-views-exposed-filter-blocksolr-search-page-1" data-drupal-selector="views-exposed-form-solr-search-page-1" id="block-exposedformsolr-searchpage-1-3"> <div class="jlab-blkcontent"> <form action="/solr-search" method="get" id="views-exposed-form-solr-search-page-1" accept-charset="UTF-8"> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-textfield form-item-search-api-fulltext js-form-item-search-api-fulltext"> <label for="edit-search-api-fulltext">Including any of these keywords:</label> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-search-api-fulltext" type="text" id="edit-search-api-fulltext" name="search_api_fulltext" value="" size="30" maxlength="128" class="form-text" /> </div> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-textfield form-item-search-api-fulltext-1 js-form-item-search-api-fulltext-1"> <label for="edit-search-api-fulltext-1"> Including all of these keywords:</label> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-search-api-fulltext-1" type="text" id="edit-search-api-fulltext-1" name="search_api_fulltext_1" value="" size="30" maxlength="128" class="form-text" /> </div> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-textfield form-item-search-api-fulltext-2 js-form-item-search-api-fulltext-2"> <label for="edit-search-api-fulltext-2">Filter out these keywords:</label> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-search-api-fulltext-2" type="text" id="edit-search-api-fulltext-2" name="search_api_fulltext_2" value="" size="30" maxlength="128" class="form-text" /> </div> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-date form-item-changeddate js-form-item-changeddate"> <label for="edit-changeddate">Last Edited From</label> <input class="bef-datepicker form-date" autocomplete="off" data-drupal-selector="edit-changeddate" aria-describedby="edit-changeddate--description" type="date" id="edit-changeddate" name="changeddate" value="" size="30" /> <div id="edit-changeddate--description" class="description"> (Show results from this date) </div> </div> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-date form-item-changeddateto js-form-item-changeddateto"> <label for="edit-changeddateto">Last Edited To</label> <input class="bef-datepicker form-date" autocomplete="off" data-drupal-selector="edit-changeddateto" aria-describedby="edit-changeddateto--description" type="date" id="edit-changeddateto" name="changeddateto" value="" size="30" /> <div id="edit-changeddateto--description" class="description"> (Show results to this date) </div> </div> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-select form-item-sort-by js-form-item-sort-by"> <label for="edit-sort-by">Sort by</label> <select data-drupal-selector="edit-sort-by" id="edit-sort-by" name="sort_by" class="form-select"><option value="search_api_relevance" selected="selected">Relevance</option><option value="changed">Changed</option></select> </div> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-select form-item-sort-order js-form-item-sort-order"> <label for="edit-sort-order">Order</label> <select data-drupal-selector="edit-sort-order" id="edit-sort-order" name="sort_order" class="form-select"><option value="ASC">Asc</option><option value="DESC" selected="selected">Desc</option></select> </div> <div data-drupal-selector="edit-actions" class="form-actions js-form-wrapper form-wrapper" id="edit-actions"><input data-drupal-selector="edit-submit-solr-search" type="submit" id="edit-submit-solr-search" value="Search" class="button js-form-submit form-submit" /> </div> </form> </div> </div> <div id="block-topmenu" class="jefferson-lab-mobile-menu block block-superfish block-superfishmenu-top-menu"> <div class="jlab-blkcontent"> <ul id="superfish-menu-top-menu" class="menu sf-menu sf-menu-top-menu sf-horizontal sf-style-none"> <li id="menu-top-menu-menu-link-content4f739fc9-3fe6-4f1c-ac8d-5c1a3b9e2de4" class="sf-depth-1 sf-no-children"><a href="/a-z-index" title="" class="sf-depth-1">A-Z Index</a></li><li id="menu-top-menu-menu-link-content44eea25f-d6f2-4b33-8fbd-b9a38158cc59" class="sf-depth-1 sf-no-children"><a href="/user/login?current=/scientists-discover-energy-and-pressure-analogies-linking-hadrons-superconductors-and-cosmic" class="sf-depth-1">Sign In</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <nav role="navigation" aria-labelledby="block-jeffersonlabmobilemenu-menu" id="block-jeffersonlabmobilemenu" class="jefferson-lab-leftmenu jefferson-lab-mobile-menu block block-system block-system-menu-blockjefferson-lab-mobile-menu"> <h2 class="visually-hidden" id="block-jeffersonlabmobilemenu-menu">Jefferson Lab Mobile Menu</h2> <div class="jlab-blkcontent"> <ul> <li> <a href="/" data-drupal-link-system-path="<front>">Home</a> </li> <li> <a href="/about" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6342">About</a> </li> <li> <a href="/science" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4845">Science</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.jlab.org/recruiting">Careers</a> </li> <li> <a href="/jlab-calendar-list" data-drupal-link-system-path="jlab-calendar-list">Calendar</a> </li> </ul> </div> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="top-header-left"> <button type="button" class="main-collapse-button" aria-label="Hamburger button"> <span class="icon-bar1"></span> <span class="icon-bar2"></span> <span class="icon-bar3"></span> <span class="icon-bar4"></span> </button> <div> <div id="block-si-site-branding" class="jlab-branding block block-system block-system-branding-block"> <a href="/" rel="home"> <img src="/sites/default/files/logo_2.png" alt="Home" fetchpriority="high" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="top-header-right"> <div> <div id="block-topmenu-2" class="top-menu-right block block-superfish block-superfishmenu-top-menu"> <div class="jlab-blkcontent"> <ul id="superfish-menu-top-menu--2" class="menu sf-menu sf-menu-top-menu sf-horizontal sf-style-none"> <li id="menu-top-menu-menu-link-content4f739fc9-3fe6-4f1c-ac8d-5c1a3b9e2de4--2" class="sf-depth-1 sf-no-children"><a href="/a-z-index" title="" class="sf-depth-1">A-Z Index</a></li><li id="menu-top-menu-menu-link-content44eea25f-d6f2-4b33-8fbd-b9a38158cc59--2" class="sf-depth-1 sf-no-children"><a href="/user/login?current=/scientists-discover-energy-and-pressure-analogies-linking-hadrons-superconductors-and-cosmic" class="sf-depth-1">Sign In</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="views-exposed-form bef-exposed-form searchform-top block block-views block-views-exposed-filter-blocksolr-search-page-1" data-drupal-selector="views-exposed-form-solr-search-page-1" id="block-exposedformsolr-searchpage-1-2"> <div class="jlab-blkcontent"> <form action="/solr-search" method="get" id="views-exposed-form-solr-search-page-1" accept-charset="UTF-8"> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-textfield form-item-search-api-fulltext js-form-item-search-api-fulltext"> <label for="edit-search-api-fulltext--2">Including any of these keywords:</label> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-search-api-fulltext" type="text" id="edit-search-api-fulltext--2" name="search_api_fulltext" value="" size="30" maxlength="128" class="form-text" /> </div> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-textfield form-item-search-api-fulltext-1 js-form-item-search-api-fulltext-1"> <label for="edit-search-api-fulltext-1--2"> Including all of these keywords:</label> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-search-api-fulltext-1" type="text" id="edit-search-api-fulltext-1--2" name="search_api_fulltext_1" value="" size="30" maxlength="128" class="form-text" /> </div> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-textfield form-item-search-api-fulltext-2 js-form-item-search-api-fulltext-2"> <label for="edit-search-api-fulltext-2--2">Filter out these keywords:</label> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-search-api-fulltext-2" type="text" id="edit-search-api-fulltext-2--2" name="search_api_fulltext_2" value="" size="30" maxlength="128" class="form-text" /> </div> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-date form-item-changeddate js-form-item-changeddate"> <label for="edit-changeddate--2">Last Edited From</label> <input class="bef-datepicker form-date" autocomplete="off" data-drupal-selector="edit-changeddate" aria-describedby="edit-changeddate--2--description" type="date" id="edit-changeddate--2" name="changeddate" value="" size="30" /> <div id="edit-changeddate--2--description" class="description"> (Show results from this date) </div> </div> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-date form-item-changeddateto js-form-item-changeddateto"> <label for="edit-changeddateto--2">Last Edited To</label> <input class="bef-datepicker form-date" autocomplete="off" data-drupal-selector="edit-changeddateto" aria-describedby="edit-changeddateto--2--description" type="date" id="edit-changeddateto--2" name="changeddateto" value="" size="30" /> <div id="edit-changeddateto--2--description" class="description"> (Show results to this date) </div> </div> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-select form-item-sort-by js-form-item-sort-by"> <label for="edit-sort-by--2">Sort by</label> <select data-drupal-selector="edit-sort-by" id="edit-sort-by--2" name="sort_by" class="form-select"><option value="search_api_relevance" selected="selected">Relevance</option><option value="changed">Changed</option></select> </div> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-select form-item-sort-order js-form-item-sort-order"> <label for="edit-sort-order--2">Order</label> <select data-drupal-selector="edit-sort-order" id="edit-sort-order--2" name="sort_order" class="form-select"><option value="ASC">Asc</option><option value="DESC" selected="selected">Desc</option></select> </div> <div data-drupal-selector="edit-actions" class="form-actions js-form-wrapper form-wrapper" id="edit-actions--2"><input data-drupal-selector="edit-submit-solr-search-2" type="submit" id="edit-submit-solr-search--2" value="Search" class="button js-form-submit form-submit" /> </div> </form> </div> </div> <div id="block-usdepartmentofenergylogo" class="departmentofenergylogo block block-block-content block-block-contentfc128674-b052-4bc5-a534-5a9b309dbe8e"> <div class="jlab-blkcontent"> <div><p><a class="sf-depth-1" href="http://energy.gov" title><img alt="U.S. Department of Energy" src="/sites/default/files/energy-logo_1.png"></a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="primary-nav"> <nav id="site-navigation" class="navbar" role="navigation"> <div class="navbar-header"> <div id="main-navbar-collapse" class=""> <div> <nav role="navigation" aria-labelledby="block-jeffersonlabmenu-menu" id="block-jeffersonlabmenu" class="jeffersonlabmenu block block-system block-system-menu-blockmenu-jefferson-lab-menu"> <h2 class="visually-hidden" id="block-jeffersonlabmenu-menu">Jefferson Lab Menu</h2> <div class="jlab-blkcontent"> <ul> <li> <a href="/" title="" data-drupal-link-system-path="<front>">Home</a> </li> <li> <a href="/about" title="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6342">About</a> </li> <li> <a href="/science" title="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/7311">Science</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.jlab.org/recruiting">Careers</a> </li> </ul> </div> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </header> <section id="slideshow" class="slideshow"> <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="row"> <div> <div class="views-element-container jlab-banner-image block block-views block-views-blockbanner-image-block-1" id="block-views-block-banner-image-block-1"> <div class="jlab-blkcontent"> <div><div class="js-view-dom-id-188d94d1d59522f4da11d63a2899eaa1855ad6a4db5b8a3ffd6458f4f70595eb"> <div class="item-list"> <ul> <li><div class="views-field views-field-field-banner-image"><div class="field-content text-center"></div></div></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <div id="main-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="sidebar-first sidebar col-left"> <div class="sidebar-first-inner"> <div> <nav role="navigation" aria-labelledby="block-researchlinks-menu" id="block-researchlinks" class="jefferson-lab-leftmenu block block-system block-system-menu-blockmenu-research-links"> <h2 id="block-researchlinks-menu">Research Links</h2> <div class="jlab-blkcontent"> <ul> <li> <a href="/physics" title="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6358">Nuclear Physics Home</a> </li> <li> <a href="/accelerator" title="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6356">Accelerator Science Home</a> </li> <li> <a href="/theory" title="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6366">Theory Center Home</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.jlab.org/physics/experiments">Experiment Information</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.jlab.org/physics/experiments/schedule">Experiment Schedule</a> </li> <li> <a href="/IT/Publications" title="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6349">Publications Home</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.jlab.org/research/" title="">Research Highlights</a> </li> </ul> </div> </nav> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content col-has-left"> <div class="content-inner"> <section id="top-content1" class="top-content1"> <div> <div class="views-element-container jlab-buttons-block block block-views block-views-blockpage-buttons-block-block-1" id="block-views-block-page-buttons-block-block-1"> <div class="jlab-blkcontent"> <div><div class="js-view-dom-id-a9b6f9ac3d4d32fec9fb1b83e142374148cb1f9ad82ee994acfa4f0d94d30ec8"> <div class="views-row"><div class="views-field views-field-field-buttons"><div class="field-content"></div></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <div> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div><div id="block-pagetitle-7" class="pagetitle block block-core block-page-title-block"> <div class="jlab-blkcontent"> <h1> <span>Scientists Discover Energy and Pressure Analogies Linking Hadrons, Superconductors, and Cosmic Expansion</span> </h1> </div> </div> <div id="block-mainpagecontent-2" class="clearfix block block-system block-system-main-block"> <div class="jlab-blkcontent"> <div data-history-node-id="22580" class="node node--type-research node--view-mode-full ds-1col clearfix"> <div class="group-top-image-caption field-group-div"> <div> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/image_436x300/public/071924-np-analogies.jpg?itok=nH9sW8aZ" width="436" height="300" alt="A depiction of how equilibrium is maintained in hadrons, featuring Illustration of a proton with up and down quarks and gluons depicted by springs." /> </div> <div class="caption-wrap"> <div><p>A depiction of how equilibrium is maintained in hadrons. Pressure from quarks and gluons (outward-pointing purple arrows) balances against pressure from trace anomaly and sigma terms (inward-pointing blue arrows).</p> <h6>Image courtesy of Bigeng Wang</h6> </div> </div> <div class="addlink-wrap"> <div><h2>Additional Links</h2></div> </div> </div> <div><h2>The Science</h2> <p>Quantum chromodynamics (QCD) is the theoretical framework for studying the forces within atomic <a href="https://www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainsnuclei">nuclei</a> and their constituent <a href="https://www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainsprotons">protons</a> and <a href="https://www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainsneutrons">neutrons</a>. A major part of QCD research involves how quarks and gluons are contained within nucleons (protons and neutrons). Mathematically, the forces inside nucleons can be compared to the force of <a href="https://www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainsgravity">gravity</a>. However, quantum effects known as the “trace anomaly” that do not follow the same pattern can become prominent in nucleons. These <a href="https://www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainsquantum-mechanics">quantum</a> effects may be responsible for the balance between the outward pressure inside nucleons and the forces holding them together.</p> <h2>The Impact</h2> <p>Recent research has shown that the trace anomaly can be measured using the production of charmonium. This is a type of subatomic particle produced at the <a href="https://www.jlab.org/">Thomas Jefferson National Laboratory</a> and the future <a href="https://www.bnl.gov/eic/">Electron Ion Collider</a>. Researchers can also theoretically calculate the trace anomaly using QCD. Combining experimental measurements and theoretical calculations of the trace anomaly will provide insights into the mass and pressure distributions within hadrons. These are particles that consist of <a href="https://www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainsquarks-and-gluons">quarks and gluons</a>. Researchers are now seeing similarities in the theories that describe these QCD calculations, <a href="https://www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainssuperconductivity">superconductivity</a>, and even how the <a href="https://www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainscosmic-acceleration-and-dark-energy">universe expands</a>.</p> <h2>Summary</h2> <p>New research has identified a common theme of energy and pressure that emerges across vastly different scales in physical systems. In both hadrons and superconductors, how particles are confined to a specific volume can be described with the same mathematical framework. This is also similar to the role of the cosmological constant or dark energy in regard to energy and pressure in the equations describing the expansion and acceleration of the Universe. These examples illustrate how the concepts of energy, pressure, and confinement manifest across different physical systems, from the microscopic to the cosmic scales, providing a unified understanding of diverse phenomena in physics.</p> <p>Finally, researchers can measure the trace anomaly experimentally and calculate the anomaly in lattice QCD. This offers a direct means of probing and understanding the dynamics of quantum chromodynamics.</p> <h2>Contact</h2> <p>Keh-Fei Liu<br> University of Kentucky<br> <a href="mailto:liu@g.uky.edu">liu@g.uky.edu</a></p> <h2>Funding</h2> <p>This work is partially supported by Department of Energy (DOE) and the TMD Topical Collaboration. The research used resources of the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, as well as Stampede time under the Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment (XSEDE) supported by National Science Foundation. The researchers also thank the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC) for providing high performance computing resources and acknowledge the facilities of the USQCD Collaboration funded in part by the DOE Office of Science.</p> <h2>Publications</h2> <p>Liu, K.F., <a href="https://www.osti.gov/pages/biblio/2263392-hadrons-superconductor-vortices-cosmological-constant">Hadrons, Superconductor Vortices, and Cosmological Constant</a>, <em>Physics Letters B</em> <strong>849</strong>, 138413 (2024). [DOI:10.1016/j.physletb.2023.138418]</p> <h2>Related Links</h2> <p><a href="https://sciencefeatured.com/2024/04/05/exploring-the-fabric-of-the-universe-hadrons-to-cosmological-constant/">Exploring the Fabric of the Universe: Hadrons to Cosmological Constant</a>, Science Featured</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container pt-20 block block-views block-views-blockcontent-photo-block-block-2" id="block-views-block-content-photo-block-block-2"> <div class="jlab-blkcontent"> <div><div class="photo-block-style200 js-view-dom-id-91e974fdca2e68ee8419a26c25298e989e674e5eef134e7b2ab03976a89b1fd5"> <div><div class="views-field views-field-view"><span class="field-content"></span></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <footer id="footer" class="site-footer" role="contentinfo"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="footer-right-wrap"> <div> <div id="block-frontpagefooter" class="jlab-frontpagefooter block block-block-content block-block-content09a4fd71-46dd-4336-840d-db3e32060f73"> <div class="jlab-blkcontent"> <div><p class="line-1">Thomas Jefferson</p> <p class="line-2">National Accelerator Facility</p> <p class="line-3">12000 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News, VA</p> <p class="line-4">Phone: 757-269-7100 Fax: 757-269-7363</p> <style> #footer { overflow: hidden; } </style></div> </div> </div> <nav role="navigation" aria-labelledby="block-footermenuright1-menu" id="block-footermenuright1" class="jlab-footermenuright1 block block-system block-system-menu-blockmenu-footer-menu-right-1"> <h2 class="visually-hidden" id="block-footermenuright1-menu">Footer menu right 1</h2> <div class="jlab-blkcontent"> <ul> <li> <a href="https://misportal.jlab.org" title="">INSIGHT for employees</a> </li> <li> <a href="/privacy-and-security-notice" title="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4921">Privacy and Security Notice</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.energy.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy">Vulnerability Disclosure Program</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.jlab.org/about/accessibility_statement">Accessibility Standard Statement</a> </li> </ul> </div> </nav> <nav role="navigation" aria-labelledby="block-footermenuright2-menu" id="block-footermenuright2" class="jlab-footermenuright2 block block-system block-system-menu-blockmenu-footer-menu-right-2"> <h2 class="visually-hidden" id="block-footermenuright2-menu">Footer menu right 2</h2> <div class="jlab-blkcontent"> <ul> <li> <a href="/about/contact-jlab" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/10896">Contact JLab</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://status.jlab.org/" title="">JLab Status</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.jlab.org/report_concerns">Report a problem</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.jlab.org/sitemap">Site Map</a> </li> </ul> </div> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="footer-left-wrap"> <div> <div id="block-footerresourcesblock" class="jlab-footerresourcesblock block block-block-content block-block-content1bf1228f-8bad-4d70-bc3e-82cd188ffd2b"> <div class="jlab-blkcontent"> <div><p><span style="font-size:20px;">RESOURCES</span></p> </div> </div> </div> <nav role="navigation" aria-labelledby="block-forthepublic-menu" id="block-forthepublic" class="jlab-forthepublic block-menu block block-system block-system-menu-blockmenu-for-the-public"> <h2 class="visually-hidden" id="block-forthepublic-menu">For The Public</h2> <div class="jlab-blkcontent"> <ul> <li> <a href="/about" class="heading" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6342">For The Public</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.jlab.org/human_resources/diversity">Diversity</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.jlab.org/eic/" title="Jefferson Lab’s proposed Electron-Ion Collider">Electron-Ion Collider</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.jlab.org/recruiting">Job Openings</a> </li> <li> <a href="/pressroom/newsarchives" title="News" data-drupal-link-system-path="pressroom/newsarchives">News</a> </li> <li> <a href="/pressroom" title="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6344">Press Room</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.jlab.org/research">Research Highlights</a> </li> <li> <a href="/visiting" title="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6351">Visiting</a> </li> </ul> </div> </nav> <nav role="navigation" aria-labelledby="block-forresearchers-menu" id="block-forresearchers" class="jlab-forresearchers block-menu block block-system block-system-menu-blockmenu-for-researchers"> <h2 class="visually-hidden" id="block-forresearchers-menu">For Researchers</h2> <div class="jlab-blkcontent"> <ul> <li> <a href="/scientists" class="heading" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/15559">For Researchers</a> </li> <li> <a href="/accelerator" title="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6356">Accelerator Science</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.eiccenter.org/" title="The Electron-Ion Collider Center at Jefferson Lab">EIC Center </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.jlab.org/EIC@JLab">EIC@JLab</a> </li> <li> <a href="/engineering" title="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6379">Engineering</a> </li> <li> <a href="/physics" title="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6358">Nuclear Physics</a> </li> <li> <a href="/IT/Publications" title="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6349">Publications</a> </li> <li> <a href="/theory" title="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6366">Theory Center</a> </li> <li> <a href="/physics/user-liaison" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6367">User Information</a> </li> </ul> </div> </nav> <nav role="navigation" aria-labelledby="block-foreducation-menu" id="block-foreducation" class="jlab-foreducation block-menu block block-system block-system-menu-blockmenu-for-education-"> <h2 class="visually-hidden" id="block-foreducation-menu">For Education </h2> <div class="jlab-blkcontent"> <ul> <li> <a href="https://education.jlab.org/" class="heading" title="Education">For Education </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://education.jlab.org/indexpages/elementgames.html" title="">Games & Puzzles</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://gspda.jlab.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page">Postdoc/Grad Students</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://education.jlab.org/indexpages/program.html" title="">Program & Events</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://education.jlab.org/indexpages/science_videos.html" title="">Science Cinema</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://education.jlab.org/indexpages/" title="">Student Zone</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://education.jlab.org/indexpages/teachers.html" title="">Teacher Tools</a> </li> </ul> </div> </nav> <nav role="navigation" aria-labelledby="block-forindustry-menu" id="block-forindustry" class="jlab-forindustry block-menu block block-system block-system-menu-blockmenu-for-industry"> <h2 class="visually-hidden" id="block-forindustry-menu">For Business</h2> <div class="jlab-blkcontent"> <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.jlab.org/finance/procurement" class="heading" title="Business Services">For Business</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.jlab.org/about/communityimpact">Community Impact</a> </li> <li> <a href="/esh/emergmgt" title="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6372">Emergency Preparedness</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.jlab.org/about/comms/eventservices" title="">Event Services</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.jlab.org/partnerships">Partnerships</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://misportal.jlab.org/staff_search">Phone Book</a> </li> <li> <a href="/finance/procurement" title="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6381">Procurement</a> </li> <li> <a href="/finance/procurement/smallbusiness" title="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6383">Small Business Program</a> </li> <li> <a href="/techtransfer" title="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6353">Technology Transfer</a> </li> </ul> </div> </nav><div id="block-footermessage" class="jlab-footermessage block block-block-content block-block-contentc5561c47-0346-4aee-bf86-eda1804ef6ad"> <div class="jlab-blkcontent"> <div><p>Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility is managed by</p> <p>Jefferson Science Associates, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </footer> </div> </div> <script src="/modules/custom/si_custom_solr_notification/js/si_custom_solr_notification.js?v=10.3.1"></script> <script src="/modules/custom/si_popup_blocks/js/si_popup_blocks.js?v=10.3.1"></script> <script src="/themes/si_theme/js/lightslider.min.js?sn65vl"></script> <script src="/themes/si_theme/js/owl.carousel.custom.js?sn65vl"></script> <script src="/themes/si_theme/js/jquery.marquee.min.js?sn65vl"></script> <script src="/themes/si_theme/js/ics.js?sn65vl"></script> <script src="/themes/si_theme/js/custom.js?sn65vl"></script> <script src="/modules/contrib/better_exposed_filters/js/better_exposed_filters.js?v=6.x"></script> <script src="/modules/contrib/better_exposed_filters/js/bef_datepickers.js?v=6.x"></script> <script src="/libraries/drupal-superfish/superfish.js?sn65vl"></script> <script src="/libraries/drupal-superfish/jquery.hoverIntent.minified.js?sn65vl"></script> <script src="/libraries/drupal-superfish/sfsmallscreen.js?sn65vl"></script> <script src="/libraries/drupal-superfish/supposition.js?sn65vl"></script> <script src="/libraries/drupal-superfish/supersubs.js?sn65vl"></script> <script src="/modules/contrib/superfish/js/superfish.js?v=2.0"></script> </body> </html>