Search for Free Fractional Electric Charge Elementary Particles Using an Automated Millikan Oil Drop Technique

Journal Article · Mon Mar 20 00:00:00 EST 2000 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.84.2576· OSTI ID:20215848

Halyo, V; Kim, P; Lee, E R; Lee, I T; Loomba, D; Perl, M L

We have carried out a direct search in bulk matter for free fractional electric charge elementary particles using the largest mass single sample ever studied--about 17.4 mg of silicone oil. The search used an improved and highly automated Millikan oil drop technique. No evidence for fractional charge particles was found. The concentration of particles with fractional charge more than 0.16e (e being the magnitude of the electron charge) from the nearest integer charge is less than 4.71x10{sup -22} particles per nucleon with 95% confidence. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.

• OSTI ID: 20215848
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 84; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
ELECTRIC CHARGES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
PARTICLE PROPERTIES
QUARK MODEL