Preprint

PUBDB-2024-05056

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Tying knots in particle physics

Eto, M. ; Hamada, Y. (Corresponding author)Extern*DESY* ; Nitta, M.

2024

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2024-05056

Report No.: DESY-24-104; YGHP-24-06; arXiv:2407.11731

Abstract: Lord Kelvin's pioneering hypothesis that the identity of atoms is knots of vortices of the aether had a profound impact on the fields of mathematics and physics despite being subsequently refuted by experiments. While knot-like excitations emerge in various systems of condensed matter physics, the fundamental constituents of matter have been revealed to be elementary particles such as electrons and quarks, seemingly leaving no room for the appearance of knots in particle physics. Here, we show that knots indeed appear as meta-stable solitons in a realistic extension of the standard model of particle physics that provides the QCD axion and right-handed neutrinos. This result suggests that during the early Universe, a 'knot dominated era' may have existed, where knots were a dominant component of the Universe, and this scenario can be tested through gravitational wave observations. Furthermore, we propose that the end of this era involves the collapse of the knots via quantum tunneling, leading to the generation of matter-antimatter asymmetry in the Universe. Our findings exhibit the significant role of knots in particle physics and represent a modern version of Kelvin's hypothesis.

Keyword(s): quantum chromodynamics, axion ; neutrino, right-handed ; tunneling, quantum ; soliton ; collapse ; excited state ; gravitational radiation ; electron ; condensed matter ; quark ; asymmetry ; vortex ; atom ; ether

Note: 14 pages, 4 figures

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Theorie-Gruppe (T)

Research Program(s):

1. 611 - Fundamental Particles and Forces (POF4-611) (POF4-611)
2. DFG project 390833306 - EXC 2121: Quantum Universe (390833306) (390833306)

Experiment(s):

1. No specific instrument

Appears in the scientific report 2024

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Database coverage:
; Published

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Linked articles:

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Journal Article Eto, M. ; Hamada, Y. (Corresponding author)DESY* ; Nitta, M.
Tying Knots in Particle Physics
Physical review letters 135(9), 091603 (2025) [10.1103/s3vd-brsn]2025     Files  Fulltext by arXiv.org BibTeX | EndNote: XML, Text | RIS

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