Floemit

Floemit is a theoretical construct used in discussions of the interaction between fluid dynamics and light. It denotes a hypothetical quasi-particle-like excitation that can propagate through a flowing medium and couple to electromagnetic radiation, thereby carrying energy from the fluid motion into optical signals. In models, floemits arise from collective behaviors in complex fluids where flow fields interact with electronic or vibrational degrees of freedom.

Origin and terminology: The name combines flow and emit. The concept emerged in speculative physics and soft-matter research in the early 21st century as a convenient way to describe flow-induced light emission, and it has been used mainly in theoretical and computational studies.

Properties and behavior: Floemits are described as low-mass, boson-like excitations with limited lifetimes. They are imagined to be generated by shear, vorticity, or acoustic streaming in the fluid and to decay into photons, phonons, or other excitations. Their effective speed and coupling depend on fluid density, viscosity, temperature, and composition. Floemit propagation tends to be sensitive to the local flow field and boundaries.

Applications and status: In simulations and experimental interpretations of anomalous emission from flowing liquids, floemits serve as a modeling tool to account for energy transfer mechanisms. However, there is no agreed experimental detection, and the concept remains speculative within mainstream physics.

Related topics include quasi-particles, phonons, plasmons, excitons, and optofluidics.