Majorana fermions
Majorana fermions are special particles that act as their own antiparticles, meaning they have the same properties regardless of their charge. Proposed by the Italian physicist Ettore Majorana in 1937, they exist in theoretical models and have potential applications in quantum computing. Their unique behavior could enable the development of more robust qubits, which are the building blocks of quantum computers. Unlike traditional particles, where a particle and its antiparticle annihilate each other, Majorana fermions offer intriguing possibilities for understanding material properties and advancing technology in ways we are only just beginning to explore.
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Majorana fermions are particles that are their own antiparticles, meaning they could annihilate themselves. Named after the physicist Ettore Majorana, these particles challenge our understanding of matter and antimatter. They are predicted to exist in certain materials and have potential applications in quantum computing, particularly for building qubits that are more stable against errors. Fascinatingly, if discovered, Majorana fermions could revolutionize our grasp of fundamental physics and lead to advancements in technology, particularly in secure information processing and more efficient computations.