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Searches for fractional electric charge in meteorite samples

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Zeitschrift für Physik C Particles and Fields

Abstract

The magnetic levitation technique has been used to test for fractional electric charge on samples of several types of meteorite material, thus providing the first mass-independent search for free quarks or other fractionally-charged particles in natural nonterrestrial materials. The tests were made on diced samples of the Hoba and Forsyth County iron-nickel meteorites, and the Murchison stony meteorite, the latter being plated with iron to allow magnetic levitation. No evidence for fractional charge was found, the quantities tested being 1.3 mg (Hoba), 1.1 mg (Forsyth), and 0.4 mg (Murchison).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, SW7 2AZ, London, UK

    W. G. Jones

  2. Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, OX11 0QX, Didcot, UK

    P. F. Smith, G. J. Homer, J. D. Lewin & H. E. Walford

Authors
  1. W. G. Jones
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  2. P. F. Smith
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  3. G. J. Homer
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  4. J. D. Lewin
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  5. H. E. Walford
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Jones, W.G., Smith, P.F., Homer, G.J. et al. Searches for fractional electric charge in meteorite samples. Z. Phys. C - Particles and Fields 43, 349–355 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01506530

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01506530

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