John Bardeen

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Bardeen Shockley Brattain 1948

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Bardeen plaque uiuc

John Bardeen (May 23, 1908 – January 30, 1991) was an American physicist and electrical engineer who is the only person to have won the Nobel Prize in Physics twice: first in 1956 with William Shockley and Walter Brattain for the invention of the transistor, and again in 1972 with Leon N. Cooper and Robert Schrieffer for a fundamental theory of conventional superconductivity known as the BCS theory.

Early Life and Education

John Bardeen was born in Madison, Wisconsin, on May 23, 1908. He was the son of Charles Russell Bardeen, the first dean of the University of Wisconsin Medical School. Bardeen showed an early interest in science and mathematics. After completing his early education in Madison, he attended the University of Wisconsin, where he graduated with a degree in electrical engineering in 1928. He pursued further studies at Princeton University, earning his Ph.D. in physics in 1936 under the supervision of Eugene Wigner, with a thesis on mathematical physics.

Career and Research

After completing his doctorate, Bardeen began his career in academia, teaching at the University of Minnesota. He later moved to work at the Bell Labs, where he conducted research that led to the invention of the transistor in 1947. This invention revolutionized the electronics industry, making possible the development of almost all modern electronic devices, from computers to mobile phones.

In the late 1950s, Bardeen shifted his focus to the study of superconductivity, which had remained a mystery since its discovery in 1911. Along with his colleagues, Leon Cooper and Robert Schrieffer, he developed the BCS theory, which explained how and why certain materials could conduct electricity without resistance at very low temperatures. This work laid the foundation for many later technological advances, including MRI machines and quantum computing.

Awards and Honors

Bardeen's contributions to physics and engineering were recognized with numerous awards and honors. Besides his two Nobel Prizes, he was awarded the National Medal of Science in 1965 and was elected a Foreign Member of the Royal Society (ForMemRS) in 1973. He was also a recipient of the IEEE Medal of Honor in 1971 for his contributions to the understanding of semiconductors and superconductors.

Personal Life and Legacy

John Bardeen was known for his humility and simple lifestyle, despite his monumental achievements. He was married to Jane Maxwell in 1938, and the couple had three children. Bardeen was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing the piano. He passed away on January 30, 1991, in Boston, Massachusetts.

Bardeen's legacy is immense, with his work on the transistor and superconductivity forming the basis of much of modern electronic and material science. He is remembered not only for his scientific genius but also for his dedication to teaching and his belief in the importance of scientific research for the betterment of society.