Physics Master of Science Thesis Defense by Henrique Raposo
Physics Master of Science Thesis Defense
by Henrique Raposo
Date: Thursday, May 1, 2025
Time: 2:30 pm
Topic: Energy Eigenvalues of a 2-Quark Bound-State System Based on the Relativistic Dirac Hamiltonian with quark-Hooke Potential from Numerical Methods
Location: SENG 201
Abstract:
This research seeks to determine the mechanism that produces the mass of hadrons from these particles’ more fundamental make-up of quarks. To date, there is no known potential that could affect a system of quarks to produce an amount of energy equivalent to the rest mass energy of a hadron: a 𝜋+ particle of mass 140 MeV is made of an up quark and an anti-down quark with a combined mass of 7 MeV. A linear confining potential, similar to the Hooke potential, is put into a numerical solver for the Dirac Hamiltonian to produce energy eigenvalues of the assumed quark bound-state system. Much work is done in converting between natural units (c=ħ=1) and atomic units (me=e=ħ=ao=1/(4𝜋𝜖)=1) to match the units of the solver. The eigenvalues are then compared to the mass spectra provided by the Particle Data Group. Future work can be done to compare the eigenvalues of a 3-quark bound-state system.
Advisor(s): Dr. JP Hsu, Department of Physics
Committee members:
Dr. David Kagan, Department of Physics
Dr. Jay Wang, Department of Physics
NOTE: All PHY Graduate Students are ENCOURAGED to attend.
SENG 201