Anyons

Anyons are a type of particle that can exist in two-dimensional systems, displaying behaviors different from familiar particles like electrons or photons. Unlike fermions or bosons, which have particles that follow standard statistical rules, anyons can exhibit "any" phase change when they are swapped or braided around each other, hence the name. This property makes them intriguing for potential use in quantum computing, as their unique statistics could enable more stable qubits. They often emerge in special conditions, such as in certain quantum Hall effects, and are a subject of ongoing research in condensed matter physics.