D_s^- is a type of meson, which is a subatomic particle made up of a quark and an antiquark. Specifically, the D_s^- consists of a strange quark and a charm antiquark. It is part of the charm quark family and is known for its role in particle physics, particularly in the study of flavor physics and CP violation. The D_s^- meson has a negative electric charge and a relatively short lifetime, decaying into other particles through weak interactions. Its properties help physicists understand the behavior of quarks and the fundamental forces that govern particle interactions, contributing to the broader field of quantum chromodynamics.