The Prediction of Anyons: Its History and Wider Implications
Abstract
Prediction of ``anyons'', often attributed exclusively to Wilczek, came first from Leinaas & Myrheim in 1977, and independently from Goldin, Menikoff, & Sharp in 1980-81. In 2020, experimentalists successfully created anyonic excitations. This paper discusses why the possibility of quantum particles in two-dimensional space with intermediate exchange statistics eluded physicists for so long after bosons and fermions were understood. The history suggests ideas for the preparation of future researchers. I conclude by addressing failures to attribute scientific achievements accurately. Such practices disproportionately hurt women and minorities in physics, and are harmful to science.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2212.12632,
title = {The Prediction of Anyons: Its History and Wider Implications},
author = {Gerald A. Goldin},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2212.12632},
year = {2022}
}
Comments
Based on a presentation in the 50th Anniversary Special Session of the 34th International Colloquium on Group Theoretical Methods in Physics, Strasbourg, France, July 2022