leptoquarkn.
/ˈlɛptəʊkwɑːk/, U.S. /ˈlɛptoʊˌkwɑrk/ Particle Physics.
1. A hypothetical subatomic particle proposed as a constituent of leptons, in the way that quarks are of hadrons.Apparently an isolated use.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > particle physics > [noun] > hypothetical particle
tachyon1967
leptoquark1974
wino1981
higgsino1982
zino1982
1974 O. W. Greenberg & C. A. Nelson in Physical Rev. D 15 Oct. 2568/2 We suggest that the word ‘quark’ be reserved for a real or fictitious fundamental field or particle for hadron physics, and suggest the word ‘leptoquark’ as the leptonic analog of quark.
2. Any of various hypothetical subatomic particles which enable quarks and leptons to interact, or which have some qualities of both baryon and leptons.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > particle physics > particle avoiding strong interaction > [noun] > hypothetical mixed particle
leptoquark1974
the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > particle physics > quark > [noun] > with properties of lepton
leptoquark1974
1974 Physics Lett. B. 53 374/2 Among the gauge bosons..are 108 (model A) or 192 (model B) whose generators transform leptons into quarks and vice versa (‘leptoquark bosons’).
1982 Sci. Amer. Apr. 95/1 To account for such a disintegration novel particles called leptoquarks are introduced to change quarks..into leptons... The leptoquarks would be extremely heavy, perhaps 1014 times as heavy as the proton.
1997 Sci. News 8 Mar. 142/2 A positron may merge briefly with a quark, creating a particle that theorists call a leptoquark.
2012 New Scientist 4 Feb. 4/3 Lazy photons, leptoquarks, string balls and colorons were just some of the exotic no-shows at the world's largest particle smasher.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1974