electron gas

noun

: a population of free electrons in a vacuum or in a metallic conductor

Examples of electron gas in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web HEMTs have a layered semiconductor structure that creates a super-narrow region of free electrons, called a two-dimensional electron gas. IEEE Spectrum, 8 Mar. 2023 When the device is on (when 6 V are applied to the gate), electrons flow from the drain to the source in a flat region called a two-dimensional electron gas. IEEE Spectrum, 26 Mar. 2023 Using an approach proposed four years ago, physicists sent an electron gas through a teeny-tiny particle collider to tease out weird behaviors — especially fractional electric charges — that only arise if anyons are around. Stephen Ornes, Discover Magazine, 12 Dec. 2020 Quantum fluctuations may cause that solid to sublime, producing materials in which the electrons move freely — a kind of electron gas. Quanta Magazine, 28 Feb. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'electron gas.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of electron gas was in 1913

Dictionary Entries Near electron gas

Cite this Entry

“Electron gas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electron%20gas. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

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