Bardeen

Definition

John Bardeen was an American physicist and electrical engineer who won the Nobel Prize in Physics twice. He is most noted for his work on superconductivity and the invention of the transistor.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Bardeen, along with Leon Cooper and Robert Schrieffer, developed the BCS theory, which explains superconductivity at low temperatures.
2. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1956 for his work on semiconductors and again in 1972 for his contributions to superconductivity.
3. Bardeen's research laid the groundwork for modern electronic devices, greatly impacting technology and computing.
4. The BCS theory explains how electron pairs (Cooper pairs) allow superconductors to conduct electricity with zero resistance.
5. His work demonstrated that certain materials can transition into a superconducting state below a critical temperature.

Review Questions

• What notable theory did John Bardeen help develop related to superconductivity?
• In which years did John Bardeen win the Nobel Prize in Physics?
• How does the BCS theory explain zero resistance in superconductors?

Related terms

BCS Theory: A theoretical model explaining superconductivity as a microscopic effect caused by Cooper pairs of electrons.

Cooper Pair: A pair of electrons bound together at low temperatures in a manner that allows them to move through a superconductor without resistance.

Critical Temperature: The temperature below which a material becomes superconducting and exhibits zero electrical resistance.