Keywords
Nobel prize in physics
quantum tunnelling
history of science
How to Cite
Abstract
Giaever, who passed away in June 2025, transformed quantum physics through his experimental discovery of tunnelling in superconductors, a phenomenon predicted by BCS theory and intimately linked to the superconducting gap. Despite his modest academic beginnings, he achieved groundbreaking results at General Electric by demonstrating quasiparticle tunnelling across superconductor–insulator–superconductor junctions. His curiosity, perseverance, and collaborative environment enabled this achievement. The author, whose own research was shaped by tunnelling effects in ceramic superconductors, reflects on Giaever’s profound influence during a fleeting elevator encounter.
References
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