Strange matter is a hypothetical form of matter composed primarily of up, down, and strange quarks. It is considered a type of quark matter, which is believed to exist under extreme conditions of high temperature and density, such as those found in the cores of neutron stars or during the early universe shortly after the Big Bang.
The theoretical properties of strange matter are based on the principles of quantum chromodynamics (QCD), the theory that describes the strong nuclear force and the interactions of quarks and gluons. However, due to the complexity of QCD, our understanding of the properties of strange matter is still largely theoretical, and many aspects remain uncertain.
Here are some of the theoretical properties and characteristics associated with strange matter:
Stability: Strange matter is believed to be more stable than ordinary matter in certain conditions. It is theorized that strange matter could be the absolute ground state of matter, with the lowest possible energy per baryon number. This property is known as strangeness percolation.
Strange quarks: Strange matter consists of up, down, and strange quarks in roughly equal proportions. The presence of strange quarks differentiates strange matter from ordinary matter, which contains only up and down quarks.
Deconfinement: Strange matter is thought to exhibit deconfinement, meaning that quarks and gluons are not confined within individual hadrons (such as protons and neutrons) but are liberated and free to move over larger distances.
Compactness: Strange matter is speculated to be highly dense and compact. It is suggested that strange matter could have a higher density than atomic nuclei, making it incredibly dense and potentially forming strange stars, which are neutron stars with a core of strange matter.
Conversion: There is a theoretical concept called the "strangelet hypothesis," which suggests that a small piece of strange matter, known as a strangelet, could convert ordinary matter into strange matter through contact. This hypothesis has not been observed or confirmed experimentally.
It is important to note that while there are theoretical models and speculations about strange matter, its existence and detailed properties remain uncertain. Experimental evidence regarding the properties of strange matter is challenging to obtain, given the extreme conditions under which it is expected to exist. Further research and theoretical advancements are needed to gain a deeper understanding of this intriguing form of matter.