Can electron quasiparticles exist independently outside a material?

[joegibs]

http://www.nature.com/news/not-quite-so-elementary-my-dear-electron-1.10471
So when the electron is in the material, it separates into 3 different quasiparticles. But then it says that they cannot exist independently outside of the material. So does that mean the 3 quasiparticles are always bound together?

 

[mfb]

So when the electron is in the material, it separates into 3 different quasiparticles.

It can do that, under very exotic conditions. It does not have to.

So does that mean the 3 quasiparticles are always bound together?

They have to be in the same material, but not necessarily at the same place (as far as "place" is a meaningful concept).

 

[joegibs]

It can do that, under very exotic conditions. It does not have to.They have to be in the same material, but not necessarily at the same place (as far as "place" is a meaningful concept).

what if the electron then leaves the material, do all 3 quasi particles leave the material (they're bounded together) or can they be separated?

 

[mfb]

They all have to leave the material.

 

[joegibs]

They all have to leave the material.

So they're bounded together, right

 

[mfb]

Well, the quasiparticles don't exist outside the material. Outside, you just have an electron.

 

[joegibs]

Oh, so all three of them just merge into one single particle when the electron leaves the material?

 

[mfb]

Yes.

 

[joegibs]

Yes.

Are you just saying that because your annoyed or because that's what's really going on?

 

[mfb]

I am saying yes because it is right.