Can Gluons Trace Baryon Number?

Abstract

QCD as a gauge non-Abelian theory imposes severe constraints on the structure of the baryon wave function. We point out that, contrary to a widely accepted belief, the traces of baryon number in a high-energy process can reside in a non-perturbative configuration of gluon fields, rather than in the valence quarks. We argue that this conjecture can be tested experimentally, since it can lead to substantial baryon asymmetry in the central rapidity region of ultra-relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions.