What is a Demon Particle?

About Demon Particle

• The demon particle was first predicted by theoretical physicist David Pines in 1956.
• Pines theorized that electrons passing through a solid would exhibit unique behaviors, and that these behaviors could lead to the formation of a new type of particle that he called a “demon particle.”
• They are massless, chargeless, and transparent to light.
• They are also able to form plasmons, which are collective units of electrons that behave like waves.
• Plasmons are important in superconductivity, and the discovery of demon particles could lead to the development of new superconducting materials that operate at room temperature.

What is Superconductivity?

• It is a phenomenon whereby a charge moves through a material without resistance.
• In theory, this allows electrical energy to be transferred between two points with perfect efficiency, losing nothing to heat.
• It was first discovered in 1911 by Dutch physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes when he observed the sudden drop in electrical resistance of mercury at extremely low temperatures.
• Superconductivity is generally observed at very low temperatures, often close to absolute zero (0 Kelvin or -273.15°C).
• Meissner-Ochsenfeld Effect:
  • Superconductors expel magnetic fields from their interior when they enter the superconducting state.
  • This effect, known as the Meissner-Ochsenfeld effect, causes the superconductor to repel magnetic fields, leading to the phenomenon of magnetic levitation.
  • When a magnet is brought near a superconductor in its superconducting state, it will float above the superconductor due to this repulsion.

Q1)What is an Electron?

An electron is a subatomic particle that carries a negative electric charge. It is one of the fundamental particles that make up atoms, along with protons and neutrons. Electrons carry a fundamental electric charge, denoted as “e,” which is approximately equal to -1.602 x 10^-19 coulombs (C).Electrons have a very small mass compared to protons and neutrons. The mass of an electron is approximately 9.109 x 10^-31 kilograms (kg), making it about 1/1836 times the mass of a proton.

Source: Researchers unveil ‘demon particle’ that can lead to making superconductors

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