Electron-beam induces reversible changes in the optical properties of gallium nanoparticles

The paper reports, for the first time, a beam of electrons which can be instrumental in switching the structural phase of gallium nanoparticles between solid and liquid phases, and between two different solid phases. Such change of the phase develops as a surface-driven, fully reversible phase transformation that drives changes in the optical properties of the nanoparticles and leads to reversible changes in the nanoparticle film's reflectivity.