Researchers at The University of Manchester have succeeded in observing the so-called Schwinger effect, an elusive process that normally occurs only in cosmic events. By applying high currents through specially designed graphene-based devices, the team - based at the National Graphene Institute - succeeded in producing particle-antiparticle pairs from a vacuum.
  • @Thann@lemmy.ml
    2•2 years ago

    A vacuum is assumed to be completely empty space, without any matter or elementary particles. However, it was predicted by Nobel laureate Julian Schwinger 70 years ago that intense electric or magnetic fields can break down the vacuum and spontaneously create elementary particles.

    In January 2022 issue of Science (link: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abi8627), they report specially designed devices such as narrow constrictions and superlattices made from graphene, which allowed the researchers to achieve exceptionally strong electric fields in a simple, table-top setup. Spontaneous production of electron and hole pairs was clearly observed (holes are a solid-state analogue of positrons) and the process’ details agreed well with theoretical predictions.

  • @a_Ha@lemmy.ml
    1•2 years ago

    … production of (e-) and hole pairs …

    Gosh …
    … was it in 1980’s ; these proton (+ & -) pairs generated in vacuum with high electric field (?) … searchers expected electron pairs & were surprised with those proton pairs. (?) or was it theoretical work ? or even b.s. ? Sorry, ref. lost.