Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: Business Standard
Context: Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered a massless particle, often referred to as a “demon particle,” which could pave the way for the development of superconductors capable of functioning at room temperature.
- Superconductors, which can conduct electricity without resistance, currently require extremely low temperatures, often below 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
- This new discovery could potentially lead to the creation of superconductors that work at room temperature, revolutionizing various fields, including computing and medical imaging.
The team identified the potential existence of the demon particle while investigating the properties of the metal strontium ruthenate, which is similar to high-temperature superconductors.
About Demon Particle:
The prediction of the demon particle was first made by theoretical physicist David Pines in 1956. Pines theorized that electrons passing through a solid would exhibit unique behaviours. This particular particle is intriguing because it lacks mass, making it possible for it to exist and form plasmons (collective units of electrons) at room temperature, where larger particles wouldn’t typically form plasmons.
Why it is named a ‘Demon’ particle?
This name was chosen because the particle’s properties, including being massless, chargeless, and not interacting with light, seemed to defy conventional understanding, much like a mythical or supernatural entity. The term “demon” was used metaphorically to convey the unusual and counterintuitive nature of this theoretical particle.
