. | . |
The tetra-neutron - experiment finds evidence for a long-sought particle comprising four neutrons by Staff Writers Munich, Germany (SPX) Dec 10, 2021
While all atomic nuclei except hydrogen are composed of protons and neutrons, physicists have been searching for a particle consisting of two, three or four neutrons for over half a century. Experiments by a team of physicists of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) at the accelerator laboratory on the Garching research campus now indicate that a particle comprising four bound neutrons may well exist. While nuclear physicists agree that there are no systems in the universe made of only protons, they have been searching for particles comprising two, three or four neutrons for more than 50 years. Should such a particle exist, parts of the theory of the strong interaction would need to be rethought. In addition, studying these particles in more detail could help us better understand the properties of neutron stars. "The strong interaction is literally the force that holds the world together at its core. Atoms heavier than hydrogen would be unthinkable without it," says Dr. Thomas Faestermann, who directed the experiments. Everything now points to the fact that precisely these kinds of particles were created in one of the last experiments carried out at the now decommissioned tandem Van de Graaff particle accelerator on the Garching research campus.
The long search for the tetra-neutron In 2016, a group in Japan attempted to produce tetra-neutrons from helium-4 by bombarding it with a beam of radioactive helium-8 particles. This reaction should produce beryllium-8. In fact, they were able to detect four such atoms. From their measurement results, the researchers concluded that the tetra-neutron was unbound and quickly decayed back into four neutrons. In their experiments, Faestermann and his team bombarded a lithium-7 target with lithium-7 particles accelerated to about 12 percent of the speed of light. In addition to the tetra-neutron, this should produce carbon-10. And indeed, the physicists succeeded in detecting this species. A repetition confirmed the result.
Circumstantial evidence With their measurements, the team achieves a certainty of well over 99.7 percent, or 3 sigma. But in physics, the existence a particle is only considered conclusively proven once a certainty of 5 sigma is achieved. Thus, the researchers are now eagerly awaiting independent confirmation.
Research Report: "Indications for a bound tetraneutron"
Harvard-led researchers document the presence of quantum spin liquids, a never-before-seen state of matter Boston MA (SPX) Dec 03, 2021 In 1973, physicist Philip W. Anderson theorized the existence of a new state of matter that has been a major focus of the field, especially in the race for quantum computers. This bizarre state of matter is called a quantum spin liquid and, contrary to the name, has nothing to do with everyday liquids like water. Instead, it's all about magnets that never freeze and the way electrons in them spin. In regular magnets, when the temperature drops below a certain temperature, the electrons stabilize a ... read more
|
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |