Leo Esaki

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Leo Esaki
Esaki diode
  • Superlattice
    • Spouses
    • Masako Araki
      ​
      (m. 1959⁠–⁠1986)​
    • Masako Kondo
      ​
      (m. 1986)​
    Children3
    Awards
    Scientific career
    Fields
    Institutions

    Reona Esaki (江崎 玲於奈 Esaki Reona, born March 12, 1925), also known as Leo Esaki, is a Japanese physicist who shared the

    Esaki diode, which exploited that phenomenon. This research was done when he was with Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo (now known as Sony). He has also contributed in being a pioneer of the semiconductor superlattices.[1]

    Early life and education

    Esaki was born in Takaida-mura, Nakakawachi-gun, Osaka Prefecture (now part of Higashiōsaka City) and grew up in Kyoto. He attended Doshisha Junior High School, then the Third Higher School. After graduating, he studied physics at Tokyo Imperial University (now the University of Tokyo), where he attended Hideki Yukawa's course in nuclear theory. He experienced the Bombing of Tokyo while at university.[2]

    Esaki received his BSc and PhD in 1947 and 1959, respectively, from the University of Tokyo (UTokyo).

    Career

    Esaki diode

    1N3716 Esaki diode (with 0.1" jumper for scale)
    Leo Esaki works at Sony on June 27, 1959 in Tokyo, Japan

    From 1947 to 1960, Esaki joined Kawanishi Corporation (now

    Esaki diode
    (or tunnel diode). He received a doctorate degree from UTokyo due to this breakthrough invention in 1959.

    In 1973, Esaki was awarded the

    Carl XVI Gustaf
    .

    Semiconductor superlattice

    Esaki moved to the

    superlattices will be formed to induce a differential negative-resistance effect via an artificially one-dimensional periodic structural changes in semiconductor crystals. His unique "molecular beam epitaxy" thin-film crystal growth method can be regulated quite precisely in ultrahigh vacuum. His first paper on the semiconductor superlattice[5]
    was published in 1970. A 1987 comment by Esaki regarding the original paper notes:

    "The original version of the paper was rejected for publication by Physical Review on the referee's unimaginative assertion that it was 'too speculative' and involved 'no new physics.' However, this proposal was quickly accepted by the Army Research Office..."[6]

    In 1972, Esaki realized his concept of superlattices in III-V group semiconductors, later the concept influenced many fields like metals, and magnetic materials. He was awarded the IEEE Medal of Honor "for contributions to and leadership in tunneling, semiconductor superlattices, and quantum wells"[7] in 1991 and the Japan Prize "for the creation and realization of the concept of man-made superlattice crystals which lead to generation of new materials with useful applications" in 1998.[8]

    Esaki's “five don’ts” rules

    In 1994 Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings, Esaki suggests a list of “five don’ts” which anyone in realizing his creative potential should follow. Two months later, the chairman of the Nobel Committee for Physics Carl Nordling incorporated the rules in his own speech.[9][2]

    1. Don't allow yourself to be trapped by your past experiences.
    2. Don't allow yourself to become overly attached to any one authority in your field – the great professor, perhaps.
    3. Don't hold on to what you don't need.
    4. Don't avoid confrontation.
    5. Don't forget your spirit of childhood curiosity.

    Later years

    In 1977, Esaki was elected as a member into the National Academy of Engineering for contributions to the engineering of semiconductor devices.

    Esaki moved back to Japan in 1992. Subsequently, he served as president of the University of Tsukuba[1] and Shibaura Institute of Technology. Since 2006 he is the president of Yokohama College of Pharmacy. Esaki is also the recipient of The International Center in New York's Award of Excellence, the Order of Culture (1974) and the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (1998).

    In recognition of three

    Tsukuba City in 2015.[10]

    After the death of

    Japanese Nobel laureate
    .

    His daughter, Anna Esaki, is married to Craig S. Smith, former Shanghai bureau chief of The New York Times and China bureau chief of The Wall Street Journal.[11]

    Recognition

    Awards and honors

    [8]

    Membership in learned societies

    See also

    • List of Japanese Nobel laureates
    • List of Nobel laureates affiliated with the University of Tokyo

    References

    1. ^ a b c d Dr. Leo Esaki. japanprize.jp
    2. ^ a b 江崎玲於奈『限界への挑戦―私の履歴書』（日本経済新聞出版社）2007年
    3. ^ Esaki, Leo, "Long Journey into Tunneling," Nobel Lecture, December 12, 1973.
    4. doi:10.1103/PhysRev.109.603
      .
    5. doi:10.1147/rd.141.0061
      .
    6. ^ "This Weeks's Citation Classic", Current Contents No 28, July 13, 1987.
    7. ^ "IEEE Medal of Honor Recipients" (PDF). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). April 22, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 22, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
    8. ^ a b "The Japan Prize Foundation". www.japanprize.jp. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
    9. S2CID 250817314
      .
    10. ^ "ノーベル賞:江崎、小林、朝永氏の銅像やレリーフ設置 完成記念式でお披露目 「子どもが夢を」−−つくば・中央公園 ／茨城 - 毎日新聞". Archived from the original on April 24, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
    11. ISSN 0362-4331
      . Retrieved August 19, 2021.

    Further reading

    • Large scale integrated circuits technology: state of the art and prospects, proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute on "Large Scale Integrated Circuits Technology: State of the Art and Prospects," Erice, Italy, July 15–27, 1981 / edited by Leo Esaki and Giovanni Soncini (1982)
    • Highlights in condensed matter physics and future prospects / edited by Leo Esaki (1991)

    External links

    Media related to Leo Esaki at Wikimedia Commons

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