Split Electron: Is it an Elementary Particle?

In summary, this article discusses the recent discovery of quasiparticles that have the ability to split the charge and spin degree of freedom in 1D conductors. This phenomenon, known as fractionalization, is not new and has been predicted and observed in previous experiments. The article also mentions other examples of exotic behaviors in many-body physics, such as composite fermions and anyons. These discoveries challenge our understanding of particles and their properties, similar to the debates surrounding virtual particles.
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  • #2
Er.. no.

These "electrons" are quasiparticles, not bare electrons.

In many-body physics, a bunch of exotic things can happen under certain circumstances. The "news" that electrons can fractionalize is not new. Luttinger Liquid theory has predicted (and been proven experimentally) that such quasiparticles can have spin-charge separation in 1D conductors. This new result is showing another "degree of freedom" in such 1D conductors - orbiton.

Zz.
 
  • #3
ZapperZ said:
Er.. no.
These "electrons" are quasiparticles, not bare electrons.
Zz.

Thank you. Article did not mention quasiparticle and I got confused.
 
  • #4
It is even possible to split the electron's charge degree of freedom, and to get electronic quasi-particles with fractional charges:
F. Pollmann and P. Fulde 2006 Europhys. Lett. 75 133
http://dx.doi.org/10.1209/epl/i2006-10092-x

Many body physics has some very confusing things to offer.
 
  • #5
Physics in less than three dimensions also introduces some strange behaviors, for example in 2D with strong magnetic fields you get "composite fermions" and the quantum Hall effect (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_Hall_effect), and there are "anyons" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anyon) that are neither bosons nor fermions. Quasiparticles are a whole new ball of wax! It reminds me of the debates we get into about virtual particles-- some say they aren't real, others say they are the only kind of particles that are real. Perhaps the same issues arise with quasiparticles, though I'm not suggesting we address that issue!
 

1. What is a split electron?

A split electron is a hypothetical elementary particle proposed by some scientists as a way to explain certain phenomena in quantum mechanics. It is believed to be an electron that has been split into two separate particles, each with opposite spin orientations.

2. How is a split electron different from a regular electron?

A split electron differs from a regular electron in that it has been split into two separate particles. This splitting can occur spontaneously or through interactions with other particles, and it results in the two particles having opposite spin orientations.

3. Can split electrons be observed experimentally?

Currently, there is no experimental evidence to support the existence of split electrons. However, some scientists believe that future experiments may be able to detect the presence of split electrons through their effects on other particles.

4. What role do split electrons play in quantum mechanics?

Split electrons are proposed as a way to explain certain phenomena in quantum mechanics, such as the violation of the spin-statistics theorem. They are also thought to potentially play a role in the unification of quantum mechanics and general relativity.

5. Are split electrons considered to be elementary particles?

The status of split electrons as elementary particles is still a subject of debate in the scientific community. While some scientists believe they may be elementary, others argue that they are composite particles made up of smaller, more fundamental particles. Further research and experimentation are needed to determine their true nature.

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