SU(3) String-Flip Potential Models and Nuclear Matter

Abstract

For over 50 years attempts have been made to explain the properties of nuclear matter in terms of constituent nucleons with very little success. Here we will investigate one class of many possible models, string-flip potential models, in which flux-tubes are connected between quarks (in a gas/plasma) to give a minimal overall field configuration. A general overview of the current status of these models, along with some of our recently finished work, shall be given. It shall be shown that these models seem promising in that they do get most of the bulk properties of nuclear matter correct with the exception of nuclear binding. Finally we will conclude with a brief discussion on ways to improve the string-flip potential models in an attempt to obtain nuclear binding (currently we are investigating short range one-gluon exchange effects -- some preliminary results shall be mentioned).