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For the First Time, Electrons are Observed Splitting into Smaller Quasi-Particles
Popular Science ^ | 04.19.2012 | Clay Dillow

Posted on 04/20/2012 6:56:50 AM PDT by zeugma

For the First Time, Electrons are Observed Splitting into Smaller Quasi-Particles

 

We generally think of electrons as fundamental building blocks of atoms, elementary subatomic particles with no smaller components to speak of. But according to Swiss and German researchers reporting in Nature this week, we are wrong to think so. For the first time, the researchers have recorded an observation of an electron splitting into two different quasi-particles, each taking different characteristics of the original electron with it.

Using samples of the copper-oxide compound Sr2CuO3, the researchers lifted some of the electrons belonging to the copper atoms out of their orbits and placed them into higher orbits by manipulating them with X-rays. Upon placing them in these higher--and higher-velocity--orbits, the electrons split into two parts, one called a spinon that carried the electron’s spin with it, and another called an obitron that carried the electron’s orbital momentum with it. Spin and orbit are--at least as our basic understanding goes--attached to each particular electron. So the fact that they have been separated is pretty significant. And while researchers have thought for a while that this kind of separation could be theoretically achieved, they’ve had a hard time proving it empirically until now. It’s a reminder that at the quantum level there are still things that more or less mystify us.

But that’s not all it is. This particular observation of an electron splitting could have big-time implications in the field of high-temperature superconductivity. Understanding the way electrons can decay into quasi-particles could improve our overall understanding of the electron and how it moves, and thus help us figure out new ways of moving electrons--or electricity--around in bulk without losing large amounts of it as waste.




TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: electron; quasiparticles; stringtheory
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Thank God there are still scientists out there doing actual science instead of religion disguised as same.
1 posted on 04/20/2012 6:56:55 AM PDT by zeugma
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To: zeugma

stunning news. By golly, the Swiss have done it.


2 posted on 04/20/2012 7:02:14 AM PDT by campaignPete R-CT (and we are still campaigning against MITT and for Newt in CT and RI.)
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To: zeugma

Quasi-Particles?.......Par Mesans?...........


3 posted on 04/20/2012 7:03:02 AM PDT by Red Badger (Think logically. Act normally.................)
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To: zeugma

Back when we were having colder winters no one ever observed this going on. It’s just one more effect of man-made global climate change.


4 posted on 04/20/2012 7:05:12 AM PDT by ElkGroveDan (My tagline is in the shop.)
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To: ElkGroveDan

It’s the strongest correlation yet. Next up, quasi particle credits.


5 posted on 04/20/2012 7:18:27 AM PDT by EEGator
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To: zeugma

Where did the charge go? When the electron splits up who does it stay with? Does the other quasi-particle get to visit in on weekends?


6 posted on 04/20/2012 7:23:02 AM PDT by Lonesome in Massachussets (Queeg Olbermann: Ahh, but the strawberries that's... that's where I had them.)
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To: zeugma

Quasi-Particles.

AKA Republican gonads.


7 posted on 04/20/2012 7:24:38 AM PDT by EyeGuy (2012: When the Levee Breaks)
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To: EyeGuy

“Using samples of the copper-oxide compound Sr2CuO3, the researchers lifted some of the electrons belonging to the copper atoms out of their orbits and placed them into higher orbits by manipulating them with X-rays.”

This is HUGH!!!!


8 posted on 04/20/2012 7:39:07 AM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (Solyent Pink is Sheeple!!!!)
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To: zeugma
Very interesting! I think the bottom line is that EVERYTHING is information. Matter, energy... we are what we are because the information describing us is written in the fabric of the Universe, the Mind of God, if you will.
9 posted on 04/20/2012 7:41:55 AM PDT by Paradox (I want Obama defeated. Period.)
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To: Paradox

We’re just qbits in Q’s computer...


10 posted on 04/20/2012 7:44:05 AM PDT by null and void (Day 1185 of America's ObamaVacation from reality [Heroes aren't made Frank, they're cornered...])
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To: EQAndyBuzz

You can’t be SERIES!!


11 posted on 04/20/2012 7:47:55 AM PDT by rigor mortis
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To: Red Badger
Quasi-Particles?.......Par Mesans?...........

Mmmmm, Par Mesans!     /Homer mode off

12 posted on 04/20/2012 7:49:22 AM PDT by FreedomOfExpression
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To: Red Badger

Not “Par Mesans”, “Parmesan”, as in cheese, proving once again that everything is made of cheese - the moon, everything.


13 posted on 04/20/2012 7:50:22 AM PDT by Pecos (In God we trust. All others - bring data.)
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To: zeugma

This is interesting - it may indicate that there is an inherent attraction between the quasi particles that is being counteracted by the added energy of xray manipulation. Then when the electron moves to the higher energy state it becomes unstable enough to seperate as there is enough energy to counteract the attractive force. When the energy is removed/released it allows the electron to ‘coalesce’ back into a combined particle within the lower enegry state.

How is it that the additional energy is repulsive instead of attractive or neutral? Is this related to the weak nuclear force in same manner? And as someone else mentioned - what happens to the charge.


14 posted on 04/20/2012 7:56:26 AM PDT by reed13k (For evil to triumph it is only necessary for good men to do nothing.)
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To: zeugma

So is it the spinon or obitron which causes the magic smoke to be released when an IC is sent to its final demise?


15 posted on 04/20/2012 8:10:20 AM PDT by Wurlitzer (Welcome to the new USSA (United Socialist States of Amerika))
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To: Paradox; zeugma
Tom Stonier; Information and the Internal Structure of the Universe, Springer-Verlag, 1990

Frank T Vertosick Jr, MD; The Genius Within: Discovering The Intelligence Of Every Living Thing, Harcourt, 2002

There is an intelligence driving nature. Seems like God to me.

16 posted on 04/20/2012 8:22:05 AM PDT by onedoug
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To: zeugma

Spinon and Orbitron? Big deal. I rode those at Six Flags when I was twelve.


17 posted on 04/20/2012 8:44:37 AM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
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To: reed13k
How is it that the additional energy is repulsive instead of attractive or neutral?

I can't answer how without further reflection, but I do have a name for the additional "repulsive energy:" the pelosi charge.

18 posted on 04/20/2012 8:46:08 AM PDT by RobinOfKingston (The instinct toward liberalism is located in the part of the brain called the rectal lobe.)
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To: zeugma

Bump for later reading.


19 posted on 04/20/2012 10:17:02 AM PDT by techcor (I hope Obama succeeds, in being a one term president.)
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To: FreedomOfExpression; Pecos

These electrons that are breaking up into quasi-particles are going into 0 charge state, so they are quasi-mode-0’s..............


20 posted on 04/20/2012 11:04:18 AM PDT by Red Badger (Think logically. Act normally.................)
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