Charge and critical density of strange quark matter

The electric charge of strange quark matter is of vital importance to exper iments. A recent investigation shows that strangelets are most likely highl y negatively charged, rather than slightly positively charged as previously believed. Our present study indicates that negative char ges can indeed lo wer the critical density, and thus br favorable to the experimental searche s in heavy ion collisions. However, too much negative charges can make it i mpossible to maintain flavor equilibrium.[S0556-2813(99)02506-6].