In this paper we study the effect of finite size on the two-flavor color superconducting state. As well as restricting the quarks to a box, we project onto states of good baryon number and onto color singlets, these being necessary restrictions on any observable “quark nuggets.” We find that whereas finite size alone has a significant effect for very small boxes, with the superconducting state often being destroyed, the effect of projection is to restore it again. The infinite-volume limit is a good approximation even for quite small systems.

• Received 22 October 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.65.074005