Physicists, particularly the HadStruc Collaboration, are making strides in understanding proton structure using quantum chromodynamics (QCD) and advanced supercomputer simulations. Their focus is on mapping the inner components of hadrons, such as protons and neutrons, to comprehend how quarks and gluons interact and contribute to fundamental properties like the proton’s spin and energy distribution.
The team is based at Jefferson Lab and some universities and has developed a mathematical framework for describing the interactions of partons (quarks and gluons). Their latest research published in the Journal of High Energy Physics emphasizes a three-dimensional approach using generalized parton distributions (GPDs), which offers a more detailed perspective than traditional one-dimensional methods.
Using supercomputers like Frontera and Frontier, the team conducted extensive simulations, generating over 65,000 results to validate their theoretical models. This effort is pivotal for experiments at facilities such as Jefferson Lab and the upcoming Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), aimed at probing hadronic structures with greater precision.
The collaboration hopes to stay ahead of experimental advancements, enhancing QCD theory applications and predicting results that could significantly impact our understanding of matter’s fundamental building blocks.
