March 5, 1996
Motivated by some recent cosmic ray experiments we study the properties of strange quark matter near flavour equilibrium. Using Fermi-gas model we argue that, contrary to some claims, the geometrical radii of quark matter strangelets are not smaller but rather comparable to those of ordinary nuclei. We propose therefore a scenario of propagation of strangelets through the atmosphere which still allows for their deep penetration.
Similar papers 1
June 21, 1996
We propose model of propagation of lumps of Strange Quark Matter (strangelets) through the atmosphere, which accounts for their apparent strong penetrability and normal nuclear-type sizes at the same time. The mass spectrum of strangelets reaching the Earth predicted by this model agrees very well with the existing data on the abundance of different elemets in the Universe.
June 26, 2000
There have been several reports of exotic nuclear fragments, with highly unusual charge to mass ratio, in cosmic ray experiments. Although there exist experimental uncertainties which make them, at best, only candidate "exotic" events, it is important to understand what they could be, if they are eventually confirmed. Among other possible explanations, some authors have interpreted them to be lumps of strange quark matter (strangelets). A major problem with such an interpreta...
October 31, 2006
A new model for the description of the behaviour of strangelets in the Earth's atmosphere is presented. Strangelet fission induced by collision with air nuclei is included. It is shown that strangelets with certain parameters of initial mass and energy may reach depths near sea level, which can be examined by ground-based experiments.
June 8, 2005
If strange quark matter is stable in small lumps, we expect to find such lumps, called ``strangelets'', on Earth due to a steady flux in cosmic rays. Following recent astrophysical models, we predict the strangelet flux at the top of the atmosphere, and trace the strangelets' behavior in atmospheric chemistry and circulation. We show that several strangelet species may have large abundances in the atmosphere; that they should respond favorably to laboratory-scale preconcentra...
October 5, 2004
Assuming that cosmic rays entering the Earth's atmosphere contain a small admixture of nuggets of strange quark matter in form of strangelets one can explain a number of apparently "strange" effects observed in different cosmic rays experiments. We shall demonstrate here that the mass spectrum of such strangelets filles the "nuclear desert" gap existing between the heaviest elements observed in Universe and the next "nuclear-like objects" represented by neutron and strange st...
September 25, 2001
We discuss the possible imprints of Strange Quark Matter (SQM) in cosmic ray data. In particular, we investigate the propagation of SQM through the atmosphere and discuss: i) direct candidates for strangelets, ii) exotic events interpreted as signals of SQM and iii) muon bundles and delayed neutrons in Extensive Air Showers. The physics and astrophysics of SQM is shortly reviewed. We point out the possibility that extreme energy cosmic rays are the results of the decay of uns...
June 26, 2000
The mechanism for the propagation of strangelets with low baryon number through the atmosphere of the Earth has been explored. It has been shown that under suitable initial conditions, such strangelets may indeed reach depths near mountain altitudes with mass numbers and charges close to the observed values in cosmic ray experiments.
August 27, 2014
The present work is connected with the investigation of the origin and properties of compact astrophysical objects endowed with strangeness, with the objective of finding out their relevance in the formation and evolution of the universe. In the first part of the thesis, Chap.~1-3, we discuss a model, proposed by us, to describe the propagation of small lumps of Strange Quark Matter (SQM) or strangelets, through the Terrestrial atmosphere. The theoretical results were found t...
December 20, 2005
Stable lumps of quark matter may be present in cosmic rays at a flux level, which can be detected by high precision cosmic ray experiments sensitive to anomalous "nuclei" with high mass-to-charge ratio. The properties of these lumps, called strangelets, are described, and so is the production and propagation of strangelets in cosmic rays. Two experiments underway which are sensitive to a strangelet flux in the predicted range are briefly described. Finally it is summarized ho...
November 22, 2004
Searching for strangelets in cosmic rays may be the best way to test the possible stability of strange quark matter. I review calculations of the astrophysical strangelet flux in the GV--TV rigidity range, which will be investigated from the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS-02) on the International Space Station, and discuss the merits of strangelets as ultra-high energy cosmic rays at EeV--ZeV energies, beyond the Greisen-Zatsepin-Kuzmin cutoff. I also address some ``counter...