Chapter 32: Strong Coupling and Quarks

The strong coupling constant α_s ≈ 0.118 is the largest gauge coupling at the Z boson mass. In Category τ, it is a boundary fixed-point invariant: the structural self-coupling κ(C;3) = ι_τ³/(1 - ι_τ) ≈ 0.0604, with 2κ(C) ≈ 0.1208 matching the measured α_s(M_Z) = 0.1180 to 2.4%. What orthodox physics calls “running” is readout drift. Quarks are not fundamental particles but confined character modes on T²—sub-nucleon vibrational patterns with fractional charges arising from the three-fold address structure. Gluons mediate colour as holonomy transport. Together, quarks and gluons constitute the observable content of the C-sector, governed by address irresolvability.