Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery of quantum entanglement within protons, revealing that quarks and gluons can exist in a quantumly connected state.

This entanglement was detected over distances as small as one quadrillionth of a meter, indicating that particles within protons share maximum possible information.

Zhoudunming Tu, a physicist at Brookhaven National Laboratory, noted that this discovery challenges traditional views of protons as merely static collections of quarks and gluons.

The discovery raises new questions about the role of quantum entanglement in atomic nuclei and suggests future research directions.

Increased entropy correlated with entanglement provided direct evidence of this quantum state, aligning with theoretical predictions.

These findings align with theoretical predictions in quantum physics, marking a significant step forward in understanding proton dynamics.

Future research will explore the role of entanglement in atomic nuclei, particularly with the upcoming Electron-Ion Collider set to start operations within the next decade.

Alternative experimental methods, such as ultra-peripheral heavy-ion collisions, are also being considered to gain further insights into quark and gluon behavior.

The study, published in *Reports on Progress in Physics*, utilized advanced data analysis from the Large Hadron Collider and the Hadron-Electron Ring Accelerator.

The findings suggest a more dynamic nature of protons, altering long-standing beliefs about their subatomic interactions.

The researchers employed principles from quantum information science, particularly entropy measurements, to confirm the entangled state.

These advancements in understanding fundamental particles could lead to new technologies and applications in various fields.