Leo Esaki
Facts
Photo from the Nobel Foundation archive.
Leo Esaki
The Nobel Prize in Physics 1973
Born: 12 March 1925, Osaka, Japan
Affiliation at the time of the award: IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, NY, USA
Prize motivation: “for their experimental discoveries regarding tunneling phenomena in semiconductors and superconductors, respectively”
Prize share: 1/4
Work
In quantum physics matter is described as both waves and particles. One result of this is the tunneling phenomenon, which means that particles can pass through barriers that they should not be able to squeeze through according to classic physics. Through a seemingly simple experiment in 1958, Leo Esaki demonstrated a previously unknown type of tunneling in semiconductor material, material that is a cross between electrical conductors and insulators. The discovery is utilized in semiconductors known as tunnel diodes. It also led to further research on semiconductors.
Nobel Prizes and laureates
Six prizes were awarded for achievements that have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind. The 12 laureates' work and discoveries range from proteins' structures and machine learning to fighting for a world free of nuclear weapons.
See them all presented here.
