In the realm of high-energy physics, a trio of researchers, B. K. Srivastava from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, R. P. Scharenberg from Purdue University, and C. Pajares from the University of Santiago de Compostela, have delved into the behavior of particles in high-energy collisions. Their work, published in the journal Physical Review C, focuses on the transverse momentum spectra of charged particles in proton-proton (pp) and heavy-ion collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
The researchers utilized the Color String Percolation Model (CSPM) to analyze data from pp collisions at energies of 5.02 and 13 TeV, as well as heavy-ion collisions involving lead-lead (Pb-Pb) at 2.76 and 5.02 TeV, and xenon-xenon (Xe-Xe) at 5.44 TeV. Their goal was to extract the initial temperature of these collisions, both in low and high multiplicity events for pp collisions, and as a function of centrality for heavy-ion collisions.
The team found that the energy density (ε) to temperature (T) ratio, expressed as ε/T^4, showed a significant increase above a temperature of approximately 210 MeV in Pb-Pb and Xe-Xe collisions. This ratio reached a value of around 16 at a temperature of approximately 230 MeV, which is characteristic of an ideal gas of quarks and gluons. This finding suggests a phase transition from a strongly interacting fluid behavior of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) matter to a quasi-free gas of quarks and gluons at this temperature.
For the energy industry, understanding these fundamental aspects of particle physics might seem distant, but the principles of phase transitions and the behavior of matter under extreme conditions can have practical applications. For instance, the insights gained from these studies can contribute to the development of advanced materials and technologies for energy production, storage, and transmission. Moreover, the understanding of high-energy density physics can inform the design of more efficient and safer nuclear reactors and fusion energy systems. While the direct applications may be indirect and long-term, the foundational knowledge gained from such research is invaluable for pushing the boundaries of what is possible in energy technologies.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.