'Spooky action' at a very short distance: Scientists map out quantum entanglement in protons

Quarks and gluons are subject to so-called quantum entanglement , known as "spooky action at a distance" Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory and collaborators have a new way to use data from high-energy particle smashups to peer inside protons.

Their approach uses quantum information science to map out how particle tracks streaming from electron-proton collisions are influenced by entanglements inside the proton.

Entanglement among quarks and gluons sheds light on nature of their strong-force interactions.

It may offer additional insight into what keeps quarks in protons confined within protons.

The tools of quantum information science could make some problems in nuclear and particle physics easier to understand.

More information: Martin Hentschinski et al, QCD evolution of entanglement entropy, Reports on Progress in Physics ( 2024 ). DOI: 10.1088/1361-6633 /ad910b Provided by Brookhaven National LaboratoryThis story was originally published on Phys.org . Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest sci-tech news updates..