Quarks in the Universe *

1. Local change in the vacuum structure: from QED to QCD Matter in its present form was formed when our Universe emerged from the quark-gluon phase (QGP) at about 30µs into its evolution. To explore this early period in the laboratory, we study highly excited matter formed in relativistic heavy ion collision experiments: heavy nuclei crash into each other, and form compressed and energetically excited nuclear matter, resembling in its key features the stuff which filled the early Universe. In these experiments we further explore the physics of the vacuum structure of strongly interacting gauge theory, Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). The common beginning for both, heavy ion collisions, and vacuum structure investigations, is the physics of the quantum electrodynamic (QED) vacuum in the presence of the supercritical external field that is formed when two highly charged heavy ions are brought together near to the Coulomb barrier in a considerably lower reaction energy collision. 1 QED of strong fields research program was initiated by Walter Greiner in Frank-furt many years ago. The 2nd island of super-heavy elements at Z = 164 demanded the understanding of relativistic atomic physics structure, and more specifically, the understanding of what happens when the most tightly bound electrons disappear into the lower Dirac continuum. At the Montreal meeting in late August 1969, 2 shortly following his first study of atomic structure of super-heavy elements, 3 Wal-ter Greiner made the following comments: Heavy-ion physics is the tool. .. .. .. we find in the future elements in the area of Z = 164. .. with accelerators.. .. this would lead us into new field of quantum electrodynamics. .. of strong fields. .. an unsettled problem and a new and rich field of research.. .. if you come to very high Z-numbers the 1s-electron levels. .. dives into the lower continuum. Walter prophecy came true with regard to his theory of high Z-atoms. As for " future elements in the area of Z = 164, " this remains today good material for science fiction. * Dedicated to Walter Greiner on occasion of his 70th birthday.