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Scientists prove existence of new form of matter ‘excitonium’

Published

7 years ago

on

Condensate

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Scientists are excited at proving the existence of a new form of matter that had been theorised about half a century ago. It is called ‘excitonium’.

Just discovered, its properties are still to be ascertained and scientists do not know what it can do or what to do with it yet. The findings, published in the journal Science, hold great promise for unlocking further quantum mechanical mysteries, researchers said.

Excitonium is a condensate – it exhibits macroscopic quantum phenomena, like a superconductor. It is made up of excitons, particles that are formed in a very strange quantum mechanical pairing, namely that of an escaped electron and the hole it left behind.

The discovery was made by researchers from University of California Berkeley and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the US who studied non-doped crystals of the transition metal dichalcogenide titanium diselenide (1T-TiSe2), said media reports.

When an electron, at the edge of a crowded-with-electrons valence band in a semiconductor, gets excited and jumps over the energy gap to the otherwise empty conduction band, it leaves behind a ‘hole’ in the valence band.

That hole behaves as though it were a particle with positive charge, and it attracts the escaped electron. When the escaped electron with its negative charge, pairs up with the hole, the two form a composite particle, a boson – an exciton.

Exciton particles, then, are made up of an electron that has escaped and the negative space it left behind when it did so. The hole actually acts like a particle, attracting the escaped electron and bonding with it; they orbit each other the same way an electron and a proton would, explained a report in the Newsweek.

The holes particle-like attributes are due to the collective behaviour of the surrounding crowd of electrons. However, that understanding makes the pairing no less strange and wonderful, researchers said.

Until now, scientists have not had the experimental tools to positively distinguish whether what looked like excitonium was not in fact a Peierls phase. Peierls phases and exciton condensation share the same symmetry and similar observables.

Professor at University of Illinois Peter Abbamonte and his team were able to overcome that challenge by using a novel technique they developed called momentum-resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy (M-EELS). With their new technique, the group was able to measure collective excitations of the low-energy bosonic particles, the paired electrons and holes, regardless of their momentum.

“Ever since the term excitonium was coined in the 1960s by Harvard theoretical physicist Bert Halperin, physicists have sought to demonstrate its existence,” Abbamonte.

“Theorists have debated whether it would be an insulator, a perfect conductor, or a superfluid – with some convincing arguments on all sides,” Abbamonte said.

“Since the 1970s, many experimentalists have published evidence of the existence of excitonium, but their findings were not definitive proof and could equally have been explained by a conventional structural phase transition,” he said.

The discovery could also shed light on the metal-insulator transition in band solids, in which exciton condensation is believed to play a part. Beyond that, possible technological applications of excitonium are purely speculative.

Some, said Abbamonte, think it will be an insulator, meaning it can’t carry any energy or momentum. Others think it will be a superfluid, meaning it can carry both energy and momentum with no dissipation – the exact opposite.

“The most important thing is that it exists,” Abbamonte said. “It’s one of those things that just ought to be there, you know? And it didn’t make sense that it wasn’t,” said Newsweek.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max: A comparative look at prices and specs in India

Published

6 days ago

on

January 23, 2025

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Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with car crash detection feature

Samsung has introduced its latest high-end flagship, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, in India, igniting a new chapter in its ongoing rivalry with Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max. Both phones represent the pinnacle of smartphone technology, but they come at distinct price points and offer different specifications that cater to various user preferences.

Price comparison in India

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is available in three variants: the base model with 256GB of storage is priced at Rs 1,29,999; the 512GB model at Rs 1,49,999; and the 1TB version at Rs 1,65,999. These variants are offered in four color options: Titanium Silver Blue, Titanium Gray, Titanium White, and Titanium Black.

In contrast, the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,44,900 for the 256GB model, with the 512GB and 1TB versions priced at Rs 1,64,900 and Rs 1,84,900, respectively. Samsung’s offerings are notably less expensive across similar storage options, with the 1TB model being nearly Rs 19,000 cheaper than its Apple counterpart.

Specifications face-off

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts a 6.9-inch display, slightly larger than its predecessor, and features a more contemporary design with rounded edges. Despite its larger size, it maintains a lightweight feel at only 218 grams and includes a robust 5,000mAh battery. The camera setup has been significantly upgraded, featuring a 200-megapixel primary sensor paired with a 50-megapixel ultra-wide and a 50-megapixel telephoto lens. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, enhancing both efficiency and performance.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max, also with a 6.9-inch display, utilizes Apple’s Super Retina XDR technology with Always-On and ProMotion features for a superior viewing experience. It includes a new gold color option and a novel Camera Control button, adding functionality exclusive to the Pro models. The device is equipped with the A18 Pro chipset and features a redesigned camera system with a 48-megapixel primary sensor and advanced video recording capabilities.

Performance and functionality

Both the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max are designed to offer top-tier performance. Samsung’s flagship includes 12GB of RAM, compared to the iPhone’s 8GB, potentially offering a smoother multitasking experience. The iPhone, however, continues to impress with its integration of hardware and software, leading to efficient performance in real-life usage scenarios.

This detailed examination highlights the strengths of each device, allowing consumers to make an informed decision based on their specific needs and preferences. Whether prioritizing camera technology, display features, or price, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max cater to all facets of premium smartphone requirements.

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Oppo Find N5 set to launch with 50W wireless charging and IPX9 water resistance

Published

1 week ago

on

January 21, 2025

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Oppo Find N5 being tested underwater to showcase its IPX9 water resistance rating.

Oppo has officially confirmed that its latest innovation, the Find N5, will support 50W wireless charging and feature an IPX9 water resistance rating. The announcement comes as part of a series of teases highlighting the capabilities of this next-generation foldable smartphone, set to launch in February.

According to recent leaks, the Find N5 will be the first smartphone to incorporate the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, signaling significant performance enhancements. Pete Lau, Oppo’s Chief Product Officer, has touted the device as the “thinnest foldable phone,” positioning it against leading competitors like the latest iPhone in terms of sleek design.

Zhou Yibao, head of the Oppo Find series, shared insights via Weibo about the Find N5’s advanced features. The device not only matches the wireless charging speeds of newly released models like the Oppo Find X8 Pro and OnePlus 13 but also integrates seamlessly with in-car systems from major electric vehicle brands such as BYD and NIO.

In a compelling demonstration of its durability, a recent video posted by Yibao showed the Find N5 being submerged underwater, showcasing its capability to withstand significant water exposure, evidenced by its IPX9 rating. This test included recording underwater videos, highlighting the phone’s versatile camera capabilities in extreme conditions.

The Find N5 also sports a refined design with slimmer borders and a larger overall form factor compared to its predecessors, which could attract users looking for a sleek yet robust foldable phone.

As anticipation builds, Oppo has begun sharing images of the Find N5, revealing a foldable design as thin as a USB-C port when opened. This device promises to merge aesthetic appeal with functional excellence, setting a new benchmark in the evolving foldable phone market.

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Realme 14 Pro series set to launch in India tomorrow: Expected specs, price, and more

Published

2 weeks ago

on

January 15, 2025

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Realme 14 Pro series launch with AMOLED display, Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, and advanced camera setup.

Realme is gearing up to unveil its latest mid-range smartphones, the Realme 14 Pro series, in India on January 16, 2025. The much-anticipated event will also mark the launch of Realme Buds 5 wireless earphones, adding to the excitement among tech enthusiasts.

When and where to watch the launch

The Realme 14 Pro series will be launched at 12 noon on Thursday, January 16. Fans can catch the live-streamed event on Realme’s official YouTube channel.

Realme 14 Pro series specifications (Expected)

The Realme 14 Pro series, including the Realme 14 Pro and Realme 14 Pro+, has already been introduced in China, offering a sneak peek into its features.

The Realme 14 Pro boasts a 6.83-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and an impressive 3840Hz PWM dimming for superior visuals. Under the hood, the smartphone is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, coupled with up to 12GB LPDDR4X RAM and 512GB UFS 3.1 storage. It is expected to run on Android 15 with Realme UI 6.0.

For photography, the device offers a triple-camera setup featuring a 50MP Sony IMX896 primary sensor with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP Sony IMX882 periscope telephoto lens with up to 6x in-sensor zoom. The front houses a 32MP selfie camera.

Additional features include an in-display fingerprint sensor, IP66, IP68, and IP69 water resistance certifications, and a robust 6,000mAh battery with 80W SuperVOOC fast charging.

Realme 14 Pro+ pricing (Expected)

The Realme 14 Pro+ is expected to be priced at approximately Rs 30,000 for the 12GB RAM/256GB storage variant and Rs 33,000 for the 12GB RAM/512GB version, based on its Chinese pricing of 2,599 yuan and 2,799 yuan, respectively.

As more details about the Realme 14 Pro surface, all eyes will be on tomorrow’s launch event for official specifications and pricing.

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