Syllabus: GS3/ Science and technology
Context
- Physicists have theorized the existence of a unique particle called the semi-Dirac fermion.
About
- The semi-Dirac fermion is a quasiparticle that behaves differently depending on its direction of travel—massless in one direction but possessing mass when moving the other way.
- It was discovered in zirconium silicon sulfide, a crystalline material.
- This phenomenon occurs when the particle derives its energy from its motion, making it almost pure energy traveling at the speed of light.
| What is a Quasiparticle? – A quasiparticle is a concept used to describe how a group of particles interact in a system. – Quasiparticles are not actual particles, but rather a way to model the collective behavior of particles as if they were a single particle. – One type of quasiparticle is called a semi-Dirac fermion. |
Types of Particles
- Elementary Particles: These are the smallest, most basic particles. For example, quarks, leptons, and gauge bosons.
- Composite Particles: Made up of elementary particles. The most famous examples are protons and neutrons (made of quarks).
Fundamentals of Particles
- Particles are broadly classified as;
- Fermions: These particles make up matter and have half-integer spins (e.g., electrons, protons, and neutrons).
- Bosons: These particles mediate fundamental forces between matter, such as photons for electromagnetic force and gluons for the strong force. Bosons have integer spins.
Source: TH
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