Nanoscale temperature mapping in operating microelectronic devices

Plasmons can map temperature on the nanoscale Determining temperature on small length scales can be challenging: Direct probes can alter sample temperature, and radiation probes are limited by the wavelength of the light used. Mecklenberg et al. show how the bulk plasmon resonance of aluminum can be used to map the temperature on the nanoscale with transmission electron microscopy (see the Perspective by Colliex). Many other metals and semiconductors also have plasmon resonances that could also be used for temperature imaging. Science , this issue p. 629 ; see also p. 611