Search for nuclearites with the SLIM detector

TL;DR

This paper discusses the search for strange quark matter (SQM) in cosmic rays using the SLIM detector, highlighting expected properties, detection methods, and preliminary results from high-altitude experiments.

Contribution

It introduces the use of the SLIM detector for searching for SQM in cosmic rays and presents initial findings from the high-altitude experiment.

Findings

Preliminary results from SLIM detector

Expected properties of SQM in cosmic rays

Potential detection of strange quark nuggets

Abstract

The strange quark matter (SQM) may be the ground state of QCD; nuggets of SQM could be present in cosmic rays (CR). SLIM is a large area experiment, using CR39 and Makrofol track etch detectors, presently deployed at the high altitude CR Laboratory of Chacaltaya, Bolivia. We discuss the expected properties of SQM, from the point of view of its search with SLIM. We present also some preliminary results from SLIM.