This project uses virtual reality (VR) and other visualization tools to model the mechanical and quantum mechanical properties of the partons inside the proton. The quark and gluon dynamics are responsible for more than 98% of all mass around us. Still, it is not clear how this motion manifests and how the energy density and composition of the proton changes under various states. For example, the proton can be polarized so the spin is oriented along some particular axis. This will naturally change the dynamics and the partons state as well. Quarks and gluons can spin, and can have linear and circular motion, and can appear and disappear continuously and sporadically. This project has two overarching goals. One is to visualize the complex internal structure of the proton. We intend to do this with Unity-based VR with help from other tools like Blender, and Niagara from unreal engine 5, and other ways to test and explore visualizing this information. The second goal is to develop a detailed and accurate simulation of these dynamics and the proton's internal structure using data from experiments, lattice QCD, and phenomenology. These simulations should be able to evolve in time and should be able to contain much of what we presently understand about the proton's insides, like charge variations, flux tube geometry, the density of sea-quarks, and gluons at various Q2 and momentum fractions. In the end, these two goals should be merged and the visualization studio should be combined with the simulation and modeling package.
For the VR visualization studio, we are still testing and exploring but the basic approach is to develop assets using 3D modeling of quantum mechanical objects in a somewhat classical and intuitive representation while also utilizing standard and costume physics engine capabilities. The development of a specialized physics engine to manage the electricity and magnetism, the energy and momentum, and the color charge will be required. There are also many quantum mechanical dynamics that require a costume physics engine. Right now the platform is Oculus Quest 2, but we are likely going to need more computational power to achieve the long-term goals.
You can learn about some aspects of the experimental effort and the piecing of these results together here:
A write-up by Jinge Zhou discusses some hypothetical ways to address some of the goals of the Unity Project:
A high-level write-up to introduce some of the basic goals of the Unity Project:
The repository of the project is here:
https://github.com/uva-spin/VR-Unity/
The group Discord page is here:
https://discord.com/channels/939266832790065153/939266833352097804
On Projects:
Layer 1: Three valance quarks orbiting inside the proton. Their dynamics are largely random following a turbulent path driven by quantum fluctuations and
momentum as well as the tension that binds them together. These are called flux tubes. When polarized the dynamics are much more orderly and follow a
path around the center of the proton. A swarm of gluons exists in the space around the valance quarks along with sea-quarks with are virtual quarks that pop
in and out of existence continuously.
Physics Implementation:
Flux tube (String) tension on quarks
Flux tube pushing away gluon swarm
forces between gluons and quarks
forces between gluons and gluons
Electricity and magnetism between all quarks
Layer 2: Here we want to zoom in on a region, either a valance quark, a flux tube region, the edge of the proton, or an open region where sea-quarks and gluons
are swarming.
Layer 3: In this layer, we are zoomed in even further than any other one. Things are so zoomed in on the quantum fluctuations that the gluons start to look like
an ever-evolving network connected into space that continuously fluctuates varying in gluon density creating a massive network of interacting gluons in some regions
and low-density pockets in other regions. 
gluons.mp4
UI and Controls:
We also want a nice User Interface that is transparent so you can still see what's going on behind it and provides the option of controlling all of the dynamics and
quantum mechanical parameters. This should be able to help the user navigate but also provide analysis tools and plots of the system given various parameter adjustments.
One example is plotting the Sivers function of the various partons (quarks and gluons). The Sivers function correlates the transverse momentum of the partons with the
polarization of the proton.