SS-1: The Strong Sector from the 600-Cell Lattice

Abstract: A complete, first-principles derivation of the strong sector from 600-cell geometry. Four exact theorems establish: (1) SU(3)_c algebra from tetrahedral hopping operators equalling Gell-Mann generators, (2) gluon masslessness from open-path topology, (3) asymptotic freedom from β₀ = 7, and (4) Gell-Mann–Okubo mass relations from SU(3) Casimir operators. The Ω⁻ mass prediction gives 1681 MeV vs PDG 1672.5 MeV (0.5%).