Follow SlashGear, this hybrid consists of an electron and a phonon combined in a way that allows them to function as a single particle. The team calls the bond between the two particles “glue,” explaining that it’s 10 times stronger than any previously discovered hybrid material.
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New research promises to create breakthroughs for future electronics |
Many people are familiar with the electron – a subatomic particle that can be attached to an atom. But few have heard of phonons – a form of quasiparticle (pseudo-particle) – which is the result of the vibrating energy produced by atoms, making them neither particles nor waves.
The MIT researchers describe this new hybrid particle as one made of electrons and phonons that are capable of being tuned in parallel. As a result, any excitation to the electron can lead to changes in the phonon that is tightly adhered to it. These phonon changes trigger changes to the material’s structure, especially its magnetic properties.
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According to the MIT team, this combination of particles paves the way for tuning both the magnetic and electrical properties of materials. The discovery has big implications for the future of electronics, as the researchers explain they can tune hybrid particles in certain materials to create a new class of magnetic semiconductors.
This innovation will benefit consumers as it can unlock more efficient utilities with improved performance while also shrinking. This breakthrough could also be useful in military, aerospace and other industries.
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