Is the existence of strangelets predicted by the standard model?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Noja888
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Lhc Probability
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the existence of strangelets and whether their creation is predicted by the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics. Participants explore the implications of quantum mechanics (QM) on the likelihood of strangelet formation, particularly in the context of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), and compare the prediction of strangelets to other theoretical constructs like wormholes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the probability of creating a strangelet at the LHC and whether QM predicts their existence, likening the prediction to that of wormholes.
  • Another participant suggests that the likelihood of creating a strangelet depends on its surface tension and the energy levels at which the LHC operates, indicating that higher energy may not necessarily lead to their creation.
  • A later reply asserts that the existence of strangelets is not predicted by the SM, noting that the model has adjustable parameters and is not suited for high-precision predictions in many-body systems.
  • This same participant mentions that theoretical predictions about strangelets typically rely on phenomenological models of the strong nuclear force rather than the SM directly, which complicates the ability to predict their existence firmly.
  • It is noted that past experiments have not detected strangelets, leading to a belief that they do not exist, and that the LHC may not provide new insights into their stability or creation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the predictability of strangelets within the framework of the Standard Model and quantum mechanics. There is no consensus on the likelihood of their existence or the implications of LHC experiments for their creation.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in current theoretical models and the challenges in making precise predictions regarding strangelets, particularly in relation to many-body systems and the parameters involved in phenomenological models.

Noja888
Messages
62
Reaction score
0
Does anyone know what the probability of creating a strangelet in the LHC would be? Do all applications of QM predict the possibility of a strangelet? Is a strangelet a strong prediction in the (SM) or kind of like a wormhole(this might be a bad example for some) - a sort of fuzzy prediction that is not quite solid in accuracy?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
you can google, and use the search function in this forum.
 
I did some "Google-ing"...

(Answering my own question here - heh)
I see that it depends on its actual surface tension whether it can collect more matter into strange matter(loosely speaking the terms here). Also the energy levels that the LHC will run at make it more unlikely to create a strangelet. I would link the info I found but it was on "LHC - doomsday" topics and that's not my focus. I read that some propose that neutron stars could be quark stars. Anyone have a link other than wiki on this? Thank-ee.
 
Noja888 said:
Do all applications of QM predict the possibility of a strangelet? Is a strangelet a strong prediction in the (SM) or kind of like a wormhole(this might be a bad example for some) - a sort of fuzzy prediction that is not quite solid in accuracy?

No, the existence of strangelets is not predicted by the standard model. The standard model has a lot of adjustable parameters. In addition, it's not currently possible to use the SM to make high-precision predictions for many-body sysystems, simply because the calculations are intractable. People trying to make theoretical predictions about strangelets generally don't use the SM directly, they use phenomenological models of the strong nuclear force, and these models contain lots and lots of parameters that have to be fitted to experiment. The calculations are not good enough to predict firmly whether strangelets exist or not. Past experiments have failed to detect them, so it's believed that they do not exist. I don't think there's any special reason to think that the LHC will bring anything new to this game. What's new about the LHC is the higher energy, but if strangelets were stable, then you wouldn't need that much energy to produce them; the energies available in previous accelerators would have been sufficient.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Does the New Muon g-2 Measurement Indicate Physics Beyond the Standard Model?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Undergrad Could New Resonance Insights Challenge Standard Model Predictions in LHC Data?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Graduate NY Times: Potential Hazards of the LHC
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
Undergrad Progress In Calculating The HLbL Contribution To Muon g-2
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
3K
Undergrad Is there new LHC data on coupling constant running?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Undergrad Dark matter and acoustic peaks in the CMB
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Undergrad Decay of the Bs0 meson latest LHC results 7.8 sigma
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad B -> s µµ decays: Current status
  • · Replies 49 ·
2
Replies
49
Views
13K
Undergrad Is there a fine structure constant running anomaly?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Undergrad How powerful would a collider have to be to observe a sphaleron?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K