Physicists have identified extreme acceleration occurring within the fireballs created by high-speed particle collisions. When atomic nuclei smash together at speeds approaching the speed of light, they form quark–gluon plasma. While scientists have previously tracked the rotation and magnetic fields of this plasma, this new study focuses on the acceleration that drives its rapid expansion.
Researchers Yu-Gang Ma and Xu-Guang Huang from Fudan University utilized advanced transport models to map how this acceleration behaves. They found that acceleration peaks at the outer edge of the fireball where pressure drops and energy density remains low. This discovery suggests that acceleration is not just a secondary effect but a key factor in how this matter behaves.
This finding carries implications for understanding the phase structure of quantum chromodynamics. Because acceleration can create thermal effects similar to the Unruh effect, researchers believe it could influence how quarks transition between states. This acceleration might serve as a new control parameter for the phase diagram of matter, similar to temperature or density.
Looking ahead, the team intends to incorporate more complex hydrodynamic simulations to identify measurable signals in real-world experiments. By studying spin polarization patterns, they aim to confirm these predicted effects within current particle colliders. This research marks a significant step toward mapping the hidden dimensions of particle interactions.