“Not only is it creating a plasma,” Professor Putterman explains, “we believe it’s an new state of matter because it’s an extremely dense plasma - the density is hundreds to ten thousand times the density they achieve inside nuclear fusion experiments.” According to Professor Putterman’s experiments, the plasma goes through a phase transition - analogous the melting of ice to water. Which is why he feels justified in describing the plasma as an entirely new state. (via BBC News - New state of matter seen on cheap)
