Search for free fractional electric charge elementary particles using an automated Millikan oil drop technique

Authors
Halyo, V Kim, P Lee, ER Lee, IT Loomba, D Perl, ML
Citation
V. Halyo et al., Search for free fractional electric charge elementary particles using an automated Millikan oil drop technique, PHYS REV L, 84(12), 2000, pp. 2576-2579
Citations number
13
Categorie Soggetti
Physics
Journal title
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
ISSN journal
00319007 → ACNP
Volume
84
Issue
12
Year of publication
2000
Pages
2576 - 2579
Database
ISI
SICI code
0031-9007(20000320)84:12<2576:SFFFEC>2.0.ZU;2-D
Abstract
We have carried out a direct search in bulk matter for free fractional elec tric charge elementary particles using the largest mass single sample ever studied-about 17.4 mg of silicone oil. The search used an improved and high ly 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 bring the magnitude of the electron charge) from the ne arest integer charge is less than 4.71 X 10(-22) particles per nucleon with 95% confidence.