Physicists have discovered new quantum particles exhibiting unexpected behavior, which could revolutionize technology.

Subatomic particles can behave in ways that seem impossible from the perspective of classical physics. However, quantum physics is capable of explaining many of these phenomena. Scientists believe that the understanding of quantum physics will expand after the discovery of new quantum particles called fractional excitons. As shown in a study published in the journal Nature, these new particles exhibit unexpected behaviors and represent a unique hybrid of two fundamental types of particles—fermions and bosons, reports Phys.

According to physicists, the discovery of this new type of quantum particle, known as fractional excitons, will significantly deepen the understanding of both quantum and classical physics. The scientists' findings are centered around a phenomenon known as the fractional quantum Hall effect, which is based on the quantum Hall effect when a magnetic field is applied to a material with an electric current to create transverse voltage.

The quantum Hall effect, which occurs under very low temperatures and extremely strong magnetic fields, shows that the transverse voltage increases in clear and discrete steps. In the fractional quantum Hall effect, these steps become stranger and increase in fractional amounts when a portion of an electron's charge is transferred.

Physicists created a structure using two thin layers of graphene separated by an insulating boron nitride crystal. This structure allowed the scientists to control the movement of electric charges and create particles known as excitons.

After this, the structure was subjected to a magnetic field that was millions of times stronger than the Earth's global magnetic field. As a result, physicists discovered new particles for the first time, namely fractional excitons, which possess unusual properties.

All fundamental elementary particles fall into two groups: fermions and bosons. The latter can coexist in the same quantum state, while fermions cannot. The research showed that fractional excitons exhibit quantum properties of both bosons and fermions, making them almost a hybrid of two different types of particles.

According to physicists, these new particles possess unique quantum properties. Scientists believe that these particles will enhance the methods of storing and processing information at the quantum level, paving the way for the development of more advanced quantum computers and other quantum technologies.

Now, physicists intend to study the interactions of fractional excitons with other particles and determine whether their behavior can be controlled.