Color state of quarks in quark-gluon plasma

In summary, in the quark-gluon plasma, individual quarks are free and not bound to antiquarks or other quarks. However, the overall state of the plasma is still color neutral, with the free quarks existing in a color-neutral state. This is in contrast to the traditional understanding that quarks must be paired with antiquarks to form a colorless state. Additionally, in the plasma, three quarks can also form a baryon instead of just two, further complicating the concept of individual quarks.
  • #1
Natchanon
31
3
TL;DR Summary
Color state of quarks in quark-gluon plasma
Hi, I have been taught that quarks don't exist individually on their own, as they has with be with at least another antiquark to form a colorless state. But in the quark-gluon plasma, do we have individual quarks in a color state or do they still, somehow, are in a color-neutral state?

Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #3
The overall quark gluon plasma is still color neutral, but inside the quarks are free.
Natchanon said:
Hi, I have been taught that quarks don't exist individually on their own, as they has with be with at least another antiquark to form a colorless state.
Two other quarks are possible as well (forming a baryon instead of a meson).
 
  • Like
Likes vanhees71
Back
Top