exotic atom


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exotic atom

[ik¦säd·ik ′ad·əm]
(atomic physics)
A system in which either the proton that forms the nucleus of a hydrogen atom is replaced by another particle (such as a muon, to form muonium, or a positron, to form positronium), one electron in an ordinary atom is replaced by another particle (such as a muon, pion, or antiproton), or both substitutions are made (as in antihydrogen).
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
References in periodicals archive ?
It is possible to define the unmatter in a more general way, using the exotic atom.
On emergent physics, "unparticles" and exotic "unmatter" states
The high-energy protons shattered the atoms in the block, producing a cornucopia of exotic atoms that included radon-220 and radium-224.
Atom's core gets pear-shaped: tapering asymmetry of some nuclei confirms predictions
Washington, May 9 ( ANI ): A team of physicists has found the first direct evidence of pear shaped nuclei in exotic atoms.
Exotic atoms could explain why Big Bang created more matter than antimatter
Plus, the ATRAP team took another step: They used an electric field to pry apart the exotic atoms' positrons and antiprotons.
Prying apart antimatter. (Physics)

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