Electrons Display Wave-Particle Duality, Challenging Conventional Understanding of Material Behavior
ANYA, JAPAN - September 13, 2025 – Researchers at Ehime University have demonstrated that electrons within specific organic materials can behave as if they are massless particles, mirroring the properties of photons. this groundbreaking finding, published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry letters, could revolutionize the design of new materials with unprecedented electrical conductivity and perhaps unlock advancements in quantum computing.
The team’s investigation focused on a family of organic conductors-α-BETS2X and α′-BETS2Y (where BETS = Bis(ethylenedithio)tetraselenafulvalene,X = IBr2,I2Br,Y = IBr2,ICl2)-revealing a unique linear band dispersion. This unusual electronic structure allows electrons to move through the material with exceptionally high speeds and minimal resistance, effectively behaving like photons, which are inherently massless. This behavior challenges the conventional understanding of electron behavior in condensed matter physics and opens new avenues for exploring exotic quantum phenomena.
Sakura hiramoto, Koki Funatsu, Kensuke Konishi, Haruhiko Dekura, Naoya Tajima, and Toshio Naito authored the study, detailing how the observed “photon-like” electron behavior stems from the materials’ specific atomic arrangement. The linear band dispersion creates a scenario where electrons experience almost no effective mass, allowing them to propagate with remarkable efficiency.
“Understanding this fundamental behavior is crucial for designing materials with tailored electronic properties,” explained the research team. “By manipulating the band structure, we can potentially create materials with near-perfect conductivity, leading to more efficient electronic devices and potentially enabling the development of novel quantum technologies.”
The implications of this research extend beyond materials science.The ability to control and manipulate electron behavior at this level could pave the way for breakthroughs in areas such as energy storage, high-speed electronics, and the development of more powerful and efficient quantum computers. Further research will focus on exploring other materials exhibiting similar properties and investigating the potential applications of this newly discovered phenomenon.
References:
Hiramoto, S., Funatsu, K., Konishi, K., Dekura, H., Tajima, N., & Naito, T. (2025). Universal Features of Magnetic Behavior Originating from Linear Band Dispersion: α-BETS2X and α′-BETS2Y (BETS = Bis(ethylenedithio)tetraselenafulvalene, X = IBr2, I2Br, Y = IBr2, ICl2).The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 16(35), 9116. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.5c02197.
