Majorana particles

What are they?

As yet undiscovered particles that act as their own antiparticles. They are named after Ettore Majorana, the Italian physicist who proposed them in 1937.

Tell me more!

When most particles confront their antiparticles – particles with the same mass but opposite charge – they annihilate each other and emit energy. It is theorised that Majorana particles do not do this.

Are we any closer to finding them?

University of Surrey researchers have created a method of potentially detecting them, by using photons and superconducting circuits to find Majorana particles’ signatures.

So what can they be used for?

Researchers believe the particles could be of use in the production of functioning q-bits, the building blocks [120 words]