quasiparticle

American  

[kwey-zahy-pahr-ti-kuhl, kwey-sahy-, kwah-see, -zee-] / ˌkweɪ zaɪˈpɑr tɪ kəl, ˌkweɪ saɪ-, ˌkwɑ si, -zi- /

noun

Physics.

1. an entity, as an exciton or phonon, that interacts with elementary particles, but does not exist as a free particle.

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Etymology

Origin of quasiparticle

First recorded in 1955–60; quasi- + particle

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

quasiparticle

Rather than producing a quasiparticle, the heavy impurity changes the quantum system so dramatically that the wave functions of the surrounding fermions lose their original form.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 9, 2026

The researchers intend to use their technique to study more exotic physics in related materials, such as anyons, a new type of quasiparticle that could enable a route to quantum computation.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 9, 2024

Inside a stark black building with tinted windows, Google researchers attempt to engineer the quasiparticle on supercooled chips encased in chilling systems that look like chandeliers.

From Science Magazine ● Dec. 20, 2023

Under the right conditions, the motion of electrons and holes can synchronize to behave as a single quasiparticle, in which fragments of the electron appear as if they are physically separated.

From Science Magazine ● Dec. 20, 2023

First put forward 67 years ago, the quasiparticle is a concept physicists use to represent the combined effect of those interactions as a single quantum object for the purposes of quantum mechanical calculations.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 23, 2023