MadSci Network: Physics
Query:

Re: What is a 'plasmon'?

Date: Tue Nov 25 04:51:43 2003
Posted By: RAUL SANCHEZ, Staff, Physics, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Departamento de Fisica
Area of science: Physics
ID: 1067023214.Ph
Message:

Hi,

a 'plasmon' is nothing else that an coherent oscilation of the conduction
electrons in a metal. I do not know if you have taken any course on
Mechanics, but every mechanical system (for instance a system of springs)
has a number of frequencies (system frequencies) in which all parts of the
system can oscillate in phase. A 'plasmon' is nothing else that one of
those collective oscillations, that affects the conduction electrons that
move inside a metal through a background of 'fixed' positive ions. Similar
oscillations are also found in a plasma (like those that exist in the sun,
or in a tokamak), that are called 'plasma oscillations'. Hope this answers
your question.

Raul


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