Physicists have a deep fascination with particles, and for good reason. Particles are the building blocks of almost everything in the universe. To understand the universe, physicists focus on understanding these particles. If you’re interested in discovering and cataloging new particles, there are three main approaches you can take.
The first approach involves taking known particles and combining them to form new composite particles. This is similar to how chemists and molecular biologists work, akin to assembling structures with Lego blocks. By understanding how particles can be combined, scientists can create new materials and molecules with unique properties.
The second approach is more dramatic: smashing particles together with increasing force. The goal here is to either break particles apart to reveal unknown components or to excite new particles into existence from the quantum fields that underpin reality. This method has led to the discovery of fundamental particles like quarks and the Higgs boson. However, more often than not, it results in a chaotic explosion of particles we already know about.
The third approach involves placing known particles in new environments or combining them in novel ways to observe new particle-like behaviors through their collective quantum interactions. For instance, in certain crystals, the moving particles are not electrons themselves but rather holes or gaps in a densely packed sea of electrons. When materials are cooled to extremely low temperatures, electrons can behave in unexpected ways, such as forming pairs that move with no resistance or acting as if they are much heavier than usual.
In some cases, when electrons are confined to a thin, two-dimensional sheet with specific magnetic and electric fields, they behave as if they have a fractional electric charge. Similarly, when electrons are forced into a one-dimensional line, they can separate into particles with either charge or spin, but not both.
Interestingly, when helium is cooled to extremely low temperatures, emergent particles can behave like Higgs bosons. These emergent Higgs bosons were discovered in 1973, long before the fundamental Higgs boson was identified at the Large Hadron Collider through proton collisions.
While emergent particles in materials are not fundamental constituents of the universe, they are incredibly diverse, bizarre, and fascinating. Unlike the search for fundamental particles, where discoveries depend on nature’s offerings, emergent particles can be actively explored by creating different materials that allow their unique properties to manifest. Moreover, materials with emergent particles have significant practical applications in technology, such as in electronics, computer chips, levitating high-speed trains, and even in the magnets and detectors used to discover the Higgs boson at the Large Hadron Collider.
This exploration of emergent phenomena in quantum systems is supported by initiatives like the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation’s Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems Initiative (EPiQS). EPiQS promotes research on novel electronic materials and aims to drive breakthroughs that fundamentally change our understanding of complex matter. To learn more, you can visit Moore.org or follow the Moore Foundation on Twitter.
Engage in a hands-on workshop where you will use models to combine known particles and create new composite particles. This activity will help you understand the principles of particle combination and the creation of new materials. Discuss your findings with peers to explore the potential applications of your composite particles.
Participate in a computer simulation that mimics particle collisions. Analyze the outcomes of these collisions and identify any new particles or phenomena that emerge. This exercise will deepen your understanding of how high-energy physics experiments are conducted and the types of data they produce.
Conduct an experiment where you place particles in various controlled environments to observe their behavior. Document how changes in temperature, magnetic fields, or dimensional constraints affect particle interactions. This will give you insight into the behavior of particles in different quantum states.
Research a case study on emergent particles, such as those found in superconductors or quantum Hall systems. Present your findings to the class, focusing on the practical applications and technological advancements that these emergent particles have enabled.
Join a group discussion about the future directions of particle physics research. Consider the implications of emergent phenomena and the potential for new discoveries. Share your thoughts on how initiatives like the EPiQS can influence the field and contribute to technological innovation.
Particles – Small localized objects to which can be ascribed several physical or chemical properties such as volume or mass. – In particle physics, particles are often classified as fermions or bosons based on their spin.
Composite – A material made from two or more constituent materials with different physical or chemical properties. – The composite material used in the aircraft’s construction provides both strength and lightness.
Quantum – The minimum amount of any physical entity involved in an interaction in quantum mechanics. – Quantum mechanics fundamentally changed our understanding of atomic and subatomic processes.
Electrons – Subatomic particles with a negative electric charge, found in all atoms and acting as the primary carrier of electricity in solids. – Electrons orbit the nucleus of an atom in various energy levels or shells.
Materials – Substances or components with certain physical properties used in production or manufacturing. – The study of materials science involves understanding the properties and applications of different materials.
Behaviors – The actions or reactions of an object or system in response to external or internal stimuli. – The behaviors of gases under different temperatures and pressures are described by the ideal gas law.
Collisions – Events where two or more bodies exert forces on each other in a relatively short time. – Inelastic collisions in physics are those where kinetic energy is not conserved.
Boson – A type of particle that follows Bose-Einstein statistics and has an integer spin. – The Higgs boson is a fundamental particle associated with the Higgs field, responsible for giving mass to other particles.
Environments – The surrounding conditions or influences affecting the behavior and properties of a system. – In a vacuum environment, the absence of air resistance allows for the study of pure motion dynamics.
Properties – Characteristics or attributes of a substance that can be observed or measured. – The thermal and electrical properties of a material determine its suitability for various applications.
