Quark Clusters, QCD Vacuum and the Cosmological [sup.7]Li, Dark Matter and Dark Energy Problems

• Published in: Universe (Basel) Vol. 10; no. 3
• Main Authors: Ouyed, Rachid, Leahy, Denis, Koning, Nico, Jaikumar, Prashanth
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Analysis; Collisions (Nuclear physics); Dark energy; Dark matter (Astronomy); Quarks
• ISSN: 2218-1997; 2218-1997
• DOI: 10.3390/universe10030115

We propose a non-exotic electromagnetic solution (within the standard model of particle physics) to the cosmological [sup.7]Li problem based upon a narrow 2 MeV photo-emission line from the decay of light glueballs (LGBs). These LGBs form within color superconducting quark clusters (SQCs), which are tens of Fermi in size, in the radiation-dominated post-BBN epoch. The mono-chromatic line from the LGB→γ+γ decay reduces Big Bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) [sup.7]Be by 2/3 without affecting other abundances or the cosmic microwave background (CMB) physics, provided the combined mass of the SQCs is greater than the total baryonic mass in the universe. Following the LGB emission, the in-SQC Quantum ChromoDynamics (QCD) vacuum becomes unstable and “leaks” (via quantum tunneling) into the external space-time (trivial) vacuum, inducing a decoupling of SQCs from hadrons. In seeking a solution to the [sup.7]Li problem, we uncovered a solution that also addresses the Dark Energy (DE) and dark matter (DM) problem, making these critical problems intertwined in our model. Being colorless, charge-neutral, optically thin, and transparent to hadrons, SQCs interact only gravitationally, making them a viable cold DM (CDM) candidate. The leakage (i.e., quantum tunneling) of the in-SQC QCD vacuum to the trivial vacuum offers an explanation of DE in our model and allows for a cosmology that evolves into a ΛCDM universe at a low redshift with a possible resolution of the Hubble tension. Our model distinguishes itself by proposing that the QCD vacuum within SQCs possesses the ability to tunnel into the exterior trivial vacuum, resulting in the generation of DE. This implies the possibility that DM and hadrons might represent distinct phases of quark matter within the framework of QCD, characterized by different vacuum properties. We discuss SQC formation in heavy-ion collision experiments at moderate temperatures and the possibility of detection of MeV photons from the LGB→γ+γ decay.