Davisson and Germer: electron diffraction by nickel

What changed

Electron behavior supplied direct diffraction evidence consistent with matter waves.

Scientific scope

1927 two-author nickel-crystal experiment; not de Broglie's theoretical proposal or all later electron diffraction.

Evidence

The linked sources identify this contribution and its scope. WRS has not independently reconstructed the scientific claims. This is the 1927 two-author diffraction paper and its reported apparatus and measurements, not the whole discovery history of matter waves or later electron-diffraction methods.

Contributors

• Clinton J. Davisson · SCIENCE: Named source author of the scoped work; individual effort shares are not measured.
• Lester H. Germer · SCIENCE: Named source author of the scoped work; individual effort shares are not measured.

• Davisson and Germer, Diffraction of Electrons by a Crystal of Nickel

Provisional WRS assessment, edition 2026-10-16.1. Independent expert calibration is pending. This grade does not certify correctness or assign ownership.

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