Found in the semi-metal material ZrSiS, these quasiparticles are massless when moving at light speed in one direction but gain mass when slowing down in another, due to resistance within the material’s electronic structure.

This behavior, tied to Einstein’s E=mc², was unexpected and may lead to applications similar to graphene.

Researchers are now studying the unexplained quantum interactions behind this phenomenon, published in Physical Review X.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 22 hours ago (2 children)

and may lead to applications similar to graphene.

Graphene has applications now?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 16 hours ago

Surprisingly, I just read it actually does, and quite a few. None revolutionary and eye-catching like everybody hoped, but apparently, most of us has graphene in our smartphones, for example. I don't remember specifics, I can try to look for the article where I read it, if you want very much.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 21 hours ago

Yes; theoretical ones.