Heinrich Rohrer

Date of Birth: June 6, 1933

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: May 16, 2013

Biography

Heinrich Rohrer was a Swiss physicist renowned for his pioneering work in the field of nanotechnology. Born in Buchs, St. Gallen, Switzerland, Rohrer co-invented the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) alongside Gerd Binnig in the early 1980s. This groundbreaking invention allowed scientists to visualize surfaces at the atomic level for the first time, revolutionizing surface science and earning both inventors the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1986. Rohrer completed his doctorate at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich in 1960, where he worked under the supervision of Professor Jörgen Lykke Olsen. He spent much of his career at IBM’s Zurich Research Laboratory, where he made his most significant contributions to physics. Rohrer was known not only for his scientific brilliance but also for his humility and dedication to fostering international collaborations in science.

5 Interesting Facts about Heinrich Rohrer

1. Heinrich Rohrer and Gerd Binnig’s invention of the STM was instrumental in the development of the field of nanotechnology.

2. Rohrer joined IBM’s Zurich Research Laboratory in 1963, where he would spend the majority of his career.

3. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1986, sharing it with Gerd Binnig and Ernst Ruska, the latter for his work on electron microscopy.

4. Rohrer had a passion for mountain climbing, a hobby that he often engaged in to find relaxation and inspiration.

5. In addition to his Nobel Prize, Rohrer received multiple honorary doctorates and was a member of numerous prestigious scientific societies.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Heinrich Rohrer

1. “Science is an adventure of the whole human being; it involves our heart, our mind, and our soul.”

2. “The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas.”

3. “In science, you have to be lucky to get the right answer, but you have to be smart to know the right question.”

4. “The STM opened a new door to the nanoworld, where the laws of physics and chemistry are often different from the macro world.”

5. “Teamwork, collaboration, and shared knowledge are the cornerstones of scientific progress.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Heinrich Rohrer’s highest net worth was not publicly disclosed, but his contributions to science and technology were invaluable and earned him global recognition and numerous prestigious awards.