Anyons: New Types of Particles in Quantum Physics

While it was originally believed that only bosons and fermions were allowed by quantum mechanics, in fact, when objects are restricted to move on a two-dimensional plane, new types of particles called "anyons" can emerge. For much of the last century it was believed that the only types of particles allowed by quantum mechanics are bosons (such as photons, phonons, pions, Higgs, etc.) and fermions (such as electrons, muons, quarks, etc.). This rule of only two particle types turns out to be a reflection of the dimensionality of space. When objects are restricted to move on a two-dimensional plane, new types of particles, called "anyons" can emerge. While originally just a theoretical fantasy, such particles have recently been observed in several different types of experiments. I will discuss the history of this field, why it is viewed as important, and recent progress.

You can listen to Anyons: New Types of Particles in Quantum Physics online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Anyons: New Types of Particles in Quantum Physics is an episode from Theoretical Physics - From Outer Space to Plasma by Oxford University.

This episode is 48:08 long.

This episode was published on Feb 21, 2025.

Yes. Use the heart button on the episode page to add it to your favorite episodes list.

Yes. This page shows related episodes from Theoretical Physics - From Outer Space to Plasma when more episodes are available from the podcast feed.