First-of-its-kind Measurement Sheds Light on Gluons, the Particles Binding Atomic Nuclei

A team of physicists has achieved a significant milestone by performing a unique measurement that offers new information about gluons, the fundamental particles that act as the 'glue' holding together protons and neutrons within atomic nuclei. This measurement was derived from experimental data collected at the U.S. Department of Energy's Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, specifically utilizing the GlueX detector system. Gluons are elementary particles that mediate the strong nuclear force, one of the four fundamental forces of nature, and are crucial for the stability of matter. Despite their importance, gluons are challenging to study directly due to their confinement within nucleons. The new measurement represents the first of its kind and is expected to help physicists develop more detailed images of gluons, improving the understanding of how atomic nuclei are bound. The research has undergone editorial review for credibility and is supported by data from a leading national laboratory.