Creating Matter from Photons: Proton-Antiproton Bias?

In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of creating proton/antiproton pairs from photons in a laboratory setting and the bias towards matter in the universe. It also explores the idea of galaxies and quasars potentially being proton factories. The speakers also mention the lack of current scientific explanation for this bias and the potential for experiments to detect it.
  • #1
Peter 99
3
0
Given sufficient energy a proton/antiproton pair can be created from photons in the laboratory.

Does the (apparently) slight bias exhibited in the big bang apply to the laboratory? In other words, the universe is seemingly not made of antimatter, only "matter."

Pushing this idea further, is each galaxy creating protons at its center from photons where most pairs immediately annihilate but due to the bias some protons do not annihilate? Almost every galaxy has a relativistic jet. Are quasars giant proton factories?

Would the bias toward "matter" and against "antimatter" have survived the big bang?
 
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  • #2
I don't think anyone knows why there is a bias towards matter. There's nothing in the most current models of physics (that I know of) that provides an explanation.

As far as when this bias was created, or if it still exists, I again think very little is known, but if there is still a bias, then we should be able to detect it experimentally.

In fact I think there's at least talk of building a photon-photon collider to try and generate matter-antimatter pairs, and see this asymmetry first hand.
http://www.nature.com/nphoton/journal/v8/n6/full/nphoton.2014.95.html

It certainly would be a fascinating project, when someone does it.
 
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1. How is matter created from photons?

Matter can be created from photons through a process called pair production. When a high energy photon interacts with a nucleus, it can produce a particle and its antiparticle. These particles can then combine to form matter.

2. What is the role of proton-antiproton bias in this process?

The proton-antiproton bias refers to the unequal production of protons and antiprotons in pair production. This bias is important because it allows for the creation of matter instead of just pure energy. Without this bias, matter could not be created from photons.

3. Can this process occur naturally or does it require experimental conditions?

This process can occur naturally in high energy environments, such as near black holes or during the early stages of the universe. However, in most cases, it requires experimental conditions to be replicated in a controlled environment.

4. Is there a limit to the amount of matter that can be created from photons?

There is no theoretical limit to the amount of matter that can be created from photons. However, it is limited by the amount of energy available and the efficiency of the conversion process.

5. How is this process relevant to current scientific research?

The creation of matter from photons is relevant to current scientific research in fields such as high energy physics and cosmology. It helps us understand the fundamental building blocks of the universe and how matter was formed in the early stages of the universe.

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