How Can Strange Quark Matter Occur Deeply in the Atmosphere?

Abstract

Motivated by some recent cosmic ray experiments we study the properties of strange quark matter near flavour equilibrium. Using Fermi-gas model we argue that, contrary to some claims, the geometrical radii of quark matter strangelets are not smaller but rather comparable to those of ordinary nuclei. We propose therefore a scenario of propagation of strangelets through the atmosphere which still allows for their deep penetration.