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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Strange quark matter fragmentation in astrophysical events

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Author(s):
Paulucci, L. [1] ; Horvath, J. E. [2]
Total Authors: 2
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed ABC, BR-09210170 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil
[2] Inst Astron Geofis & Ciencias Atmosfer, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: Physics Letters B; v. 733, p. 164-168, JUN 2 2014.
Web of Science Citations: 17
Abstract

The conjecture of Bodmer-Witten-Terazawa suggesting a form of quark matter (Strange Quark Matter) as the ground state of hadronic interactions has been studied in laboratory and astrophysical contexts by a large number of authors. If strange stars exist, some violent events involving these compact objects, such as mergers and even their formation process, might eject some strange matter into the interstellar medium that could be detected as a trace signal in the cosmic ray flux. To evaluate this possibility, it is necessary to understand how this matter in bulk would fragment in the form of strangelets (small lumps of strange quark matter in which finite effects become important). We calculate the mass distribution outcome using the statistical multifragmentation model and point out several caveats affecting it. In particular, the possibility that strangelets fragmentation will render a tiny fraction of contamination in the cosmic ray flux is discussed. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 07/03633-3 - Hadronic matter and QCD in astrophysics: supernovae, GRBs and compact stars
Grantee:Jorge Ernesto Horvath
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants