protonens

Protonens is a term used in theoretical physics and, occasionally, science fiction to denote hypothetical composite particles composed mainly of protons bound by a hypothetical new confining interaction. The word combines “proton” with a suffix suggesting a plural, reflecting their proton-rich composition.

In proposed models, protonens would form in environments with extremely high density or energy, enabling a binding mechanism beyond the Standard Model. The constituent protons would be held in a compact configuration, potentially with a total baryon number equal to the sum of its components. Predicted properties vary between formulations, but common themes include a lifetime longer than typical nuclear resonances, a mass spanning several proton masses to tens of proton masses, and electromagnetic properties that differ from ordinary nuclei, complicating detection.

Experimental searches have not confirmed the existence of protonens. They have not been observed in collider experiments, cosmic rays, or astrophysical data, and current limits place stringent constraints on their production rates and interactions. If they exist, protonens would presumably require physics beyond the Standard Model and possibly novel experimental approaches to observe.

In science fiction and some speculative papers, protonens are used to explore ideas about exotic nuclear matter, alternative cosmologies, or energy storage concepts. In mainstream physics, the term remains hypothetical and non-canonical, serving mainly as a thought experiment or narrative device.

See also: protons, exotic hadrons, baryons, dark matter candidates.