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

Although it behaves like a single particle, this quasiparticle actually arises from the collective motion of the impurity and the particles around it.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 9, 2026

"The material fluctuates between two different states, as if it cannot decide which one it wants to adopt. In this fluctuating regime, the quasiparticle picture is thought to lose its meaning."

From Science Daily ● Jan. 15, 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

The search for the Majorana quasiparticle is following a similar dynamic.

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