Strong interaction studies with PANDA

TL;DR

The PANDA experiment aims to explore the strong interaction at larger distance scales by using antiproton beams to study hadron properties, exotic states, and confinement phenomena beyond what current QCD theory can predict.

Contribution

This paper presents the physics program of the PANDA experiment, highlighting its unique approach to studying strong interactions through precision spectroscopy and searches for exotic states.

Findings

Preparation of the PANDA detector system

Expected insights into hadron mass generation and confinement

Potential discovery of exotic states like glueballs and hybrids

Abstract

The theory of Quantum Chromo Dynamics (QCD) reproduces the strong interaction at distances much shorter than the size of the nucleon. At larger distance scales, the generation of hadron masses and confinement cannot yet be derived from first principles on basis of QCD. The PANDA experiment at FAIR will address the origin of these phenomena in controlled environments. Beams of antiprotons together with a multi-purpose and compact detection system will provide unique tools to perform studies of the strong interaction. This will be achieved via precision spectroscopy of charmonium and open-charm states, an extensive search for exotic objects such as glueballs and hybrids, in-medium and hypernuclei spectroscopy, and more. An overview is given of the physics program of the PANDA collaboration.