Physicists detect new type of electron wave

July 9, 2007 Scientists have proved the existence of a new type of electron wave present on metal surfaces that could assist in the development of nano-optics and high-temperature superconductors. Known as the “acoustic surface plasmon”, the phenomenon has previously been predicted in theory but has been difficult to prove because of the incredible accuracy required to make measurements on such a minute scale. Spreading only a few nanometers (millionths of a millimetre) and lasting only millionths of a billionth of a second, researchers led by University of New Hampshire detected the waves by shooting electrons at a specially prepared surface of a beryllium crystal in an ultra-high vacuum chamber.

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