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

Although it behaves like a single particle, this quasiparticle arises from the shared motion of the impurity and its surroundings.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 8, 2026

By the very nature of the phonon being a quasiparticle in a crystal it can be shown that the same mathematical pattern holds as for their biological counterparts in water.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 26, 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

If this Majorana quasiparticle could be corralled and controlled, the payoff would be twofold.

From Science Magazine ● Dec. 20, 2023