New approach to exotic quantum matter

In a three-dimensional world, all particles must be either fermions or bosons, but in fewer dimensions, the existence of particles known as anyons, which have intermediate quantum statistics, is possible. Such fascinating objects are strongly believed to exist as emerging quasiparticles in fractional quantum Hall systems, but despite great efforts, experimental evidence of anyons has remained very limited. Since quantum statistics is defined through the behavior of the phase of the wave function, when two identical particles are exchanged, early attempts at anyon detection have been based on interferometric measurements using Fabry-Perot interferometry or beamsplitter experiments.

from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3hWMOYw