Exploring Particle Types: Bosons, Fermions, and Beyond

In summary, there are three types of particles - Bosons, Fermions, and Anyons. Anyons were named by Frank Wilczek and are found in two-dimensional field theories. They exhibit a different form of the exclusion principle and are an emergent excitation from renormalized many-body effects. They are commonly found in condensed matter systems and are related to fractional charge phenomena.
  • #1
Kevin_spencer2
29
0
Bosons, Fermions and ??

I have heard in wikipedia (a joke?? ) that appart from Bosons and Fermions (types of particles) there were another kind of 'Probabilistic distribution' ? i don't know how it was called but if we have the number of particles.

[tex] <n(T)>=\frac{1}{exp(\hbar \omega )-a} [/tex]

a=1 for Bosons and -1 for Fermions, if other kind of particles exist, what would be their distribution?, thanx.
 
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  • #2
You might want to try looking into "anyons". Frank Wilczek coined the term for two dimensional field theories since the exclusion principle takes a different form in the reduced dimensions.
 
  • #3
Try also with "generalized statistics".
 
  • #4
StatMechGuy said:
You might want to try looking into "anyons". Frank Wilczek coined the term for two dimensional field theories since the exclusion principle takes a different form in the reduced dimensions.

In addition, note that as with the fractional charge phenomenon, anyons are also an "emergent" excitation that came out of the renormalized many-body effect. In http://arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0206122" [Broken], several references were made to Schrieffer's work (this is the "S" in BCS theory of superconductivity). Condensed matter systems are the ones that can clearly exhibit these fractional phenomena.

Zz.
 
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1. What is the difference between bosons and fermions?

Bosons and fermions are two types of particles that make up the building blocks of matter. The main difference between them is in their quantum properties. Bosons have integer spin, meaning they have a whole number value for their intrinsic angular momentum, while fermions have half-integer spin. This fundamental difference in spin leads to distinct behaviors and interactions between these particles.

2. How many types of bosons and fermions are there?

There are currently 17 known types of bosons and fermions. The most well-known bosons are the photon, which mediates the electromagnetic force, and the Higgs boson, which is responsible for giving particles their mass. The most common fermions are the electron, proton, and neutron, which make up atoms, and the quarks, which are the building blocks of protons and neutrons.

3. Can bosons and fermions be distinguished in experiments?

Yes, bosons and fermions can be distinguished in experiments by their distinct quantum behaviors. One common way to distinguish between them is through their spin. Another method is to use the Pauli exclusion principle, which states that no two identical fermions can occupy the same quantum state. This principle allows us to classify particles as either bosons or fermions.

4. Are there any particles that are not bosons or fermions?

Yes, there are particles that do not fit into the category of bosons or fermions. These particles are known as anyons and are most commonly found in two-dimensional systems. Anyons have fractional spin, meaning their spin is a fraction of a whole number. They also exhibit properties of both bosons and fermions, making them unique from other particles.

5. How do bosons and fermions contribute to the properties of matter?

Bosons and fermions play crucial roles in the properties of matter. Fermions, with their half-integer spin, follow the Pauli exclusion principle, which leads to the stability of matter and the formation of atoms. Bosons, with their integer spin, can occupy the same quantum state, leading to phenomena such as superconductivity and superfluidity. The combination of these two types of particles allows for the complexity and diversity of matter that we observe in the universe.

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