Researchers Prove Existence Of New Type Of Electron Wave

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on Wednesday July 4, 2007 @10:04AM from the welle-of-information dept.

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.'"

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Big Claims by Nom+du+Keyboard · 2007-07-04 10:13 · Score: 0, Troll

which will have implications for developments in nano-optics, high-temperature superconductors, and the fundamental understanding of chemical reactions on surfaces
Does it also defeat cancer, cure the common cold, disintegrate warts, and eliminate smelly feet? It seems like a lot of big claims are being made for something just discovered.

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"It's the height of ridiculousness to say for those 9 lines you get hundreds of millions."
1. Re:Big Claims by kestasjk · 2007-07-04 14:15 · Score: 0, Troll
  
  Scientists are definitely not known for playing down discoveries, but it is reassuring that it's a university and not a company.
  
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