John Bardeen (May 23, 1908 – January 30, 1991) was an American physicist and electrical engineer who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics twice. He is best known for his co-invention of the transistor and his groundbreaking work on superconductivity. Here is a detailed biography of John Bardeen:
Early Life and Education (1908–1936):
- Birth and Family: John Bardeen was born on May 23, 1908, in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. His father, Charles Bardeen, was a professor of anatomy.
- Educational Background: Bardeen attended the University High School in Madison. He later studied electrical engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1928.
- Ph.D. at Princeton: Bardeen pursued graduate studies in mathematical physics at Princeton University, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1936 under the supervision of Eugene Wigner.
Early Career and World War II (1936–1945):
- Bell Labs: After completing his Ph.D., Bardeen worked at the Bell Telephone Laboratories (Bell Labs) in Murray Hill, New Jersey. It was during his time at Bell Labs that he made significant contributions to the field of semiconductors and electronics.
- World War II: Bardeen’s work during World War II involved research on magnetic mines and other defense-related projects.
The Transistor (1947):
- Collaboration with Shockley and Brattain: In 1947, Bardeen collaborated with William Shockley and Walter Brattain at Bell Labs to invent the transistor—a revolutionary device that replaced bulky and unreliable vacuum tubes in electronic circuits.
- Nobel Prize in Physics (1956): The three inventors were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1956 for their contributions to the development of the transistor.
Academic Career and Superconductivity (1951–1975):
- University of Illinois: Bardeen joined the faculty of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1951, where he became a professor of electrical engineering and physics.
- BCS Theory of Superconductivity: In 1957, Bardeen, along with Leon Cooper and Robert Schrieffer, proposed the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) theory of superconductivity. This theory explained the phenomenon of superconductivity and earned them the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1972.
- Second Nobel Prize (1972): Bardeen became one of the very few individuals to receive two Nobel Prizes in Physics, having received the second one for the BCS theory.
Later Years and Death (1975–1991):
- Retirement: Bardeen retired from the University of Illinois in 1975 but continued to be active in scientific pursuits.
- Consulting Work: He engaged in consulting work for various organizations and contributed to research in diverse fields.
- Death: John Bardeen passed away on January 30, 1991, in Boston, Massachusetts, at the age of 82.
Legacy:
- Semiconductor Industry Impact: The invention of the transistor had a profound impact on the semiconductor industry, leading to the development of modern electronic devices.
- Superconductivity Contributions: Bardeen’s work on superconductivity significantly advanced the understanding of the behavior of certain materials at low temperatures.
- Double Nobel Laureate: John Bardeen’s distinction as a double Nobel laureate underscores the extraordinary nature of his contributions to physics.
John Bardeen’s pioneering work in solid-state physics, semiconductor technology, and superconductivity has left an enduring legacy in the field of physics and technology. His contributions have had a transformative impact on various aspects of modern electronics and materials science.
