Strange Star Physics: Existence of Baryons?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the hypothetical existence of Strange stars and the nature of strange quarks within them, specifically whether they would form baryons or exist as a quark-gluon plasma. The scope includes theoretical considerations in particle physics and astrophysics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that if Strange stars exist, the strange quarks might either arrange into baryons like Lambda-0 or Sigma-0 baryons or remain as free-flowing quark-gluon plasma.
  • Others argue that within the models of Strange stars, there would not be baryons present, but rather a quark-soup bound state, distinguishing it from quark-gluon plasma.
  • One participant questions the distinction between quark-gluon plasma and quark soup, seeking clarification on their differences.
  • Another participant explains that quark-gluon plasma exists in a regime of the QCD-matter phase diagram, while quark matter in Strange stars would lie between neutron stars and quark-gluon plasma, noting the uncertainty in its exact location within the diagram.
  • There is a discussion about Hyperons being baryons with strange quarks, with some participants confirming that Lambda-0 and Sigma-0 particles are indeed Hyperons.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of strange quarks in Strange stars, with no consensus reached on whether baryons would form or if a quark-soup state would prevail. The distinction between quark-gluon plasma and quark soup also remains a point of contention.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in understanding the QCD matter phase diagram, with participants acknowledging that its full comprehension is still unresolved.

bbbl67
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TL;DR
Do strange stars organize themselves into baryons or as quark-gluon plasma?
I wasn't sure if I should post this in astrophysics or particle physics, so I'll try particle physics first, mods feel free to move it to a more appropriate forum. So I was wondering if hypothetical Strange stars exist, would the strange quarks arrange themselves into baryons (i.e. Lambda-0 or Sygma-0 baryons), or would they just be free-flowing quark-gluon plasma with strange quarks among the mix?
 
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bbbl67 said:
So I was wondering if hypothetical Strange stars exist
I do not think we need to assume the existence of these stars to answer your question within the models of such "stars"

There would not be any baryons in a strange star, it would be a quark-soup bound state (I would not call it a qg-plasma though). However, there are theories that suggests that Hyperons (baryons with s-valence quarks) can form in neutron stars which will influence the global properties of such star https://arxiv.org/abs/0811.2939
 
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I didn't realize that QG plasma and Q soup were different things? I had assumed they were synonyms. What distinguishes them?

Aren't Hyperons just Baryons with Strange quarks in them? So wouldn't Lambda-0 and Sygma-0 particles be Hyperons too?
 
bbbl67 said:
I didn't realize that QG plasma and Q soup were different things? I had assumed they were synonyms. What distinguishes them?
A qg-plasma is so hot and low pressure that you can neglect gravitational effects.
qg-plasma is in one regime of the QCD-matter phase diagram, quark matter is in another. Quark matter in strange stars would lie bewteen neutron stars and qg-plasma. I do not exactly where it is located, and no one else either because the QCD matter diagram is not fully understood yet.

From wikipedia:
Quark–gluon plasma (QGP) is an interacting localized assembly of quarks and gluons at thermal (local kinetic) and (close to) chemical (abundance) equilibrium. The word plasma signals that free color charges are allowed.

bbbl67 said:
Aren't Hyperons just Baryons with Strange quarks in them? So wouldn't Lambda-0 and Sygma-0 particles be Hyperons too?
That is what I wrote. What about it did you not understand? (Sigma, not Sygma). You can read more about Baryons here https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/a-beginners-guide-to-baryons/
 
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