14 votes

‘Milestone’ evidence for anyons, a third kingdom of particles

5 comments

  1. [5]
    Amarok
    Link
    Link to the paper.

    Link to the paper.

    Two-dimensional systems can host exotic particles called anyons whose quantum statistics are neither bosonic nor fermionic. For example, the elementary excitations of the fractional quantum Hall effect at filling factor ν = 1/m (where m is an odd integer) have been predicted to obey Abelian fractional statistics, with a phase ϕ associated with the exchange of two particles equal to π/m. However, despite numerous experimental attempts, clear signatures of fractional statistics have remained elusive. We experimentally demonstrate Abelian fractional statistics at filling factor ν = ⅓ by measuring the current correlations resulting from the collision between anyons at a beamsplitter. By analyzing their dependence on the anyon current impinging on the splitter and comparing with recent theoretical models, we extract ϕ = π/3, in agreement with predictions.

    3 votes
    1. [4]
      nothis
      Link Parent
      Considering that abstract, it's kinda amazing how well the article manages to explain this to non-physicists (I do understand that it simplifies heavily).

      Considering that abstract, it's kinda amazing how well the article manages to explain this to non-physicists (I do understand that it simplifies heavily).

      3 votes
      1. [3]
        Amarok
        Link Parent
        I find it pretty amazing we've got genuine flatland 2D particles in the real world. That lends a bit more weight to the arguments for extra dimensions, I think. At the least it indicates other...

        I find it pretty amazing we've got genuine flatland 2D particles in the real world. That lends a bit more weight to the arguments for extra dimensions, I think. At the least it indicates other forms of dimensionality can be part of this quantum universe.

        Quanta has consistently had the best science coverage from a single site that I've seen online - for years. It's always a good article.

        5 votes
        1. [2]
          nothis
          Link Parent
          To probably out myself as truly having no clue what the finding is all about: Couldn't this graphic just be explained, geometrically, as the particle moving within a spherical shape rather than a...

          I find it pretty amazing we've got genuine flatland 2D particles in the real world.

          To probably out myself as truly having no clue what the finding is all about: Couldn't this graphic just be explained, geometrically, as the particle moving within a spherical shape rather than a circle?

          3 votes
          1. Amarok
            Link Parent
            If you want a more detailed explanation, you can watch Anton Petrov's video on this topic. He breaks it down more and also covers some of the implications. That's how I heard about this news, it...

            If you want a more detailed explanation, you can watch Anton Petrov's video on this topic. He breaks it down more and also covers some of the implications. That's how I heard about this news, it seems to have slipped under the radar.

            3 votes