quasiparticle

[kwey-zahy-pahr-ti-kuhl, kwey-sahy-, kwah-see, -zee-]

noun

Physics.

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of quasiparticle¹

First recorded in 1955–60; quasi- + particle

Example Sentences

This new state of matter called the Majorana zero mode is made up of quasiparticles, which act as their own particle and antiparticle.

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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.

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They are called quasiparticles, to distinguish them from actual particles like electrons or ions.

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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.

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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.

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