Kvarkvæmur

Kvarkvæmur, literally “quark wall” in Danish, is a hypothetical boundary formed by quark matter that separates regions of different quantum chromodynamic phases. The concept is not part of established physics and is mainly discussed in speculative contexts or theoretical models exploring dense QCD matter.

In dense quantum chromodynamics, quark matter at high baryon density may assume distinct phases, including color-superconducting states. A kvarkvæmur would be an interface or domain wall between two such phases or between quark matter and hadronic matter, potentially carrying unique surface properties and fields.

Proposed properties include extreme density and tension, possible color-electric or color-magnetic field configurations, and stability that depends on the equation of state. It could act as a barrier to baryon exchange, trap certain quantum numbers, or influence transport across the boundary.

Formation scenarios involve first-order phase transitions in the early universe, in the dense cores of neutron stars, during neutron star mergers, or as transient remnants in heavy-ion collision processes. At present, these scenarios remain theoretical.

Status: kvarkvæmur is a speculative construct within models such as the MIT bag model or color-superconductivity frameworks; there is no experimental evidence. Its viability is debated, and practical detection would be challenging.

Potential implications include modifications to the equation of state of dense matter, effects on cooling and transport in compact stars, and possible imprints on gravitational-wave or neutrino signals, though clear observational signatures have not been established.