Lester Germer and Clinton Davisson observed electron diffraction from a nickel crystal. The intensity of scattered electrons varied strongly with direction and incident electron energy, as expected when a crystal's periodic structure acts on a wave. Agreement between the inferred wavelength and the de Broglie wavelength connected a particle's momentum with observable interference. The experiment made electron wave behavior a measured property of a material-scattering apparatus.[ref]
Diffraction of Electrons by a Crystal of Nickel by C. Davisson and L. H. Germer. Physical Review 30, 705 (1927), angular/energy-dependent scattering and electron-wave interpretation
Portrait of Lester Germer
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Lester Germer is known as an important figure in the realm of measurement and precision instruments, particularly in the context of inertial navigation systems. While he may not be widely recognized outside of specialized fields, he contributed to significant advancements in technology related to the accurate measurement of physical phenomena.