A NOVEL SEARCH FOR FREE QUARKS PRODUCED IN RELATIVISTIC HEAVY-ION INTERACTIONS

We propose a novel search for free anti-diquarks (uu =) Q with electri c charge -4/3 produced in heavy-ion collisions induced by an ultra rel ativistic heavy-ion beam, for example, the Pb beam at CERN or the Au b eam at BNL. Stopping the Qs in a dewar of liquid deuterium, will allow the Qs to catalyze d-d fusion by rapidly forming ddQ molecules. The r esultant products stop in a short distance, by the ionization of the D -2. When the ions and electrons recombine, photons will be emitted whi ch can be detected by photomultiplier tubes. If a heavy-ion beam bunch ed in time is available, any Qs stopped in the dewar should continue t his catalysis process long after any secondary beam interaction partic les have left the dewar. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.