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Researchers Prove Existence Of New Type Of Electron Wave
ScienceDaily is reporting that physicists at the University of New Hampshire have discovered the existence of a new type of electron wave on metal surfaces. "The acoustic surface plasmon, which will have implications for developments in nano-optics, high-temperature superconductors, and the fundamental understanding of chemical reactions on surfaces. [...] 'The existence of this wave means that the electrons on the surfaces of copper, iron, beryllium and other metals behave like water on a lake's surface,' says Diaconescu, a postdoctoral research associate in the Condensed Matter Group of the physics department at UNH. 'When a stone is thrown into a lake, waves spread radially in all directions. A similar wave can be created by the electrons on a metal surface when they are disturbed, for instance, by light.'"
Somehow I doubt the wave is new. It's only our understanding of it that is new.
Can anyone explain what's new here? My 20-year old text book on surface physics talks about
surface plasmons, and I heard about acoustic (bulk) plasmons in my undergrad studies min the mid-90:s.
What's new, the existence of acoustic plasmons at surfaces?
I, who have a PhD in surface physics don't care, so I think 99.99% of even slashdot, don't care.