The Davisson and Germer experiment directly indicated the wave nature of material particles and quantitatively verified the de Broglie hypothesis for the existence of matter waves.
[Note : The aim of the experiment was not to verify wave like properties of electrons. The realisation came only later, an example of serendipity.]
[Note : Like X-rays, electrons exhibit wave nature under suitable conditions. When the wavelength of matter waves associated with moving electrons is comparable to the interatomic spacing in a crystal, electrons show diffraction effects. In 1927, Sir George
Thomson (1892 – 1975), British physicist, with his student Alex Reid, observed electron diffraction with a metal foil. It is found that neutrons, atoms, molecules, C E - particles, etc. show wave nature under suitable conditions.]
