Quark Search Experiment
The University of Texas at Austin
The objective of this research project is to determine whether or
not it is feasible to place very small metal spheres in a microgravity
environment and test for fractional charging (i.e., free quarks). While
this experiment is theoretically feasible, the practicalities of
controlling and measuring the velocities of small spheres in a reduced
gravity environment are challenging. The primary goal of the project
team(s) will be to design and develop a sphere ejector mechanism, which
will be adapted to a modified Millikan ("oil drop") apparatus. The
mechanism will eject metal spheres, 150-250 microns in diameter, with
special emphasis given to maximizing electrical grounding and precision
control of the sphere trajectories. The spheres will be contained within
the Millikan apparatus. Results from this Reduced Gravity Flight (RGF)
testing will determine the feasibility of an apparatus that would
ultimately fly on-board a spacecraft, to test larger amounts of matter.
Success in the overall series of experiments would set new upper limits on
the quantity of stable matter analyzed for existence of free quarks,
improving the confidence level in modern particle physics theory.
Previous conceptual design studies over the past two years, by
teams of University of Texas at Austin undergraduate students and
Georgetown High School (GHS) students, have identified issues and
parameters associated with the development of a space-based quark search
apparatus. These studies have been performed under the overall guidance of
Paul Hudspeth and Jim Wilson, and with funding provided by the Texas Space
Grant Consortium. The proposed research will build on the results of these
previous studies. The Quark Search/Reduced Gravity Flight Team is led by a
multi-disciplinary group of freshmen students at The University of Texas at
Austin, who were high school students on the previous conceptual design
studies. The team includes a new group of GHS students.
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