  Electrons in a metal or semiconductor can be thought of as a
"Fermi sea" of particles, with the highest-energy electrons at
the surface. Normally, if an electron receives an extra kick of
energy it pops out of the Fermi sea, creating a "hole" – which
is itself a quasiparticle. However, under special circumstances
an electron (or a few electrons) can rise out of the Fermi sea
without creating a hole – much like a wave rising out of the
ocean. This excitation could then propagate through the material
like a tiny particle that obeys quantum mechanics – a
quasiparticle.  Searching, searching, searching  After this type
of excitation was first suggested by Levitov and colleagues, it
immediately inspired another physicist, Christian Glattli, who
has been trying to devise experiments to create levitons ever
since. Working at CEA Saclay near Paris, Glattli's team – along
with physicists at the University of Paris Diderot and ETH
Zürich – has now succeeded in creating levitons and confirming
their existence using se