Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP)
A extreme phase of quantum chromodynamic (QCD) matter where hadrons melt into a deconfined state of free quarks and gluons at extreme temperatures.
Governing formula
T_deconfinement ≈ 150–170 MeV (~2 × 10¹² K)
SI unit
MeV (Transition Temperature)
In depth
At energy densities exceeding ~1 GeV/fm³, color confinement breaks down. Quarks and gluons move freely, behaving as an almost ideal, near-zero-viscosity quantum fluid.
Examples in the real world
Recreating primordial Big Bang Quark-Gluon Plasma in ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions at CERN's LHC and BNL's RHIC.