If hexaquarks exist would they have the properties to be considered under SU(2) a proton and neutron or their anti-particle counterparts? If a string of 12 quarks exist (two bound hexa-quarks) would this be a helium atom?
Well, we do not see 4-quark bound states and the situation of penta-quarks looks bleek too so the probability of hexa-quark states is small. Yet, a hexaquark state is not two-baryon state. In two baryons 3 quarks are well separated from the other 3 while in hexaquark they are all about a fermi from eac other and many more degrees of freedon are allowed. Obviously, the same holds true for 12 quarks.
So would these experiments that claim findings of hexaquarks (see attachment) explain these 'strings' of six quarks as making up a proton assuming that all six are sitting close together?
I guess one can assume existence of such composite states (not sure about motivation).
However, also some reasonable explanation why such states are not observed (or hard to observe) so far, should be provided.
For example, in case of pentaquark, there is interesting work by Stech et. al (see Nucl.Phys. A755 (2005) 415-418 and Phys.Lett. B608 (2005) 59-63), where some symmetry argument is put forward.
If similar mechanism can work either for hexaquarks or duodenaquarks,
that would be very interesting.
Amazing what a difference in particle physics 2 years can make. We have clear evidence for pentaquarks, so hexaquarks are nearby!
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