SESZIONE DI TORINO
In 1984, it was conjuctered that Strange Quark Matter (SQM), composed of approximately the same number of up, down and strange quarks, could be the true ground state of quantum chromodynamics. SQM could be stable for all baryon number ranging from ordinary heavy nuclei to neutron stars, and is believed to be part of the cosmic radiation, either as a dark matter component or as "anomalous" events. A review of the properties of SQM nuggets and their energy losses in matter is presented. Different pheomenological models are considered for their propagation through the Earth atmosphere. Finally, the implications for SQM detection in Earth based experiments and the expected fluxes are discussed. In particular, the results of SQM searches with the SLIM (Search for LIght Magnetic monopoles) experiment operated at the level of the Chacaltaya High Altitude Laboratory (Bolivia) are presented.

DATA: 08-05-2008