Search for quarks using a flash tube chamber

Abstract

A large flash tube chamber has been constructed with the object of searching for relativistic e/3 quarks in extensive air showers at ground level. Experiments have been carried out to examine the applicability of the method; in particular, the response of the apparatus to muons of varying ionization has been investigated. It has been found that the logarithmic increase in ionization loss is reflected accurately in the variation of mean flash-tube efficiency with muon energy, which gives confidence in the method. The fluctuation in number of flashed tubes along a muon track is close to expectation. In a preliminary search no e/3 quarks have been detected amongst 439 carefully measured penetrating EAS particles.