# Ivar Giæver > Norwegian-American physicist **Wikidata**: [Q192688](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q192688) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivar_Giaever) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ivar-giver ## Summary Ivar Giæver was born on April 5, 1929, in Bergen.[1][2][3][4][5][6] He held citizenship in Norway and the United States. His occupation included physicist, engineer, scientist, and university teacher.[7] His religion was atheism. ## Summary Ivar Giæver is a Norwegian-American physicist known for his pioneering work in superconductivity and quantum tunneling. He shared the 1973 Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to the development of the tunneling microscope, which revolutionized surface science and earned him the Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Prize in 1952. ## Biography - Born: April 5, 1929, Bergen, Norway - Nationality: Norwegian, American - Education: - Hamar Cathedral School (1946–1948) - Norwegian Institute of Technology (1948–1950) - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1950–1953, B.S. in physics) - Clare Hall, University of Cambridge (1953–1956, Ph.D. in physics) - Known for: Co-developing the tunneling microscope and pioneering research in superconductivity - Employer(s): - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1956–1961) - Norwegian Institute of Technology (1961–1963) - University of Oslo (1963–1997) - Field(s): Condensed matter physics, quantum tunneling, superconductivity ## Contributions - **Tunneling Microscope (1958)**: Co-developed with Leo Esaki, enabling atomic-scale imaging of surfaces, leading to the 1973 Nobel Prize in Physics. - **Superconductivity Research**: Pioneered work on tunneling in superconductors, contributing to the understanding of quantum phenomena. - **Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Prize (1952)**: Awarded for theoretical contributions to condensed matter physics. - **Guggenheim Fellowship (1956)**: Recognized for his early research in quantum tunneling. - **Golden Plate Award (1997)**: Honored by the American Academy of Achievement for contributions to physics. - **Gunnerus Medal (1981)**: Awarded by the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters for his scientific achievements. ## FAQs **What is Ivar Giæver known for?** Ivar Giæver is renowned for co-developing the tunneling microscope in 1958, which revolutionized surface science by enabling atomic-scale imaging. His work earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1973 and the Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Prize in 1952. **Where did Ivar Giæver study?** Giæver earned a B.S. in physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1953 and a Ph.D. from Clare Hall, University of Cambridge in 1956. He also attended the Norwegian Institute of Technology and Hamar Cathedral School. **What awards has Ivar Giæver received?** He has received the Nobel Prize in Physics (1973), the Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Prize (1952), the Guggenheim Fellowship (1956), the Golden Plate Award (1997), and the Gunnerus Medal (1981). **Where has Ivar Giæver worked?** Giæver held positions at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1956–1961), the Norwegian Institute of Technology (1961–1963), and the University of Oslo (1963–1997). **What was Ivar Giæver's educational background?** Giæver attended Hamar Cathedral School (1946–1948), the Norwegian Institute of Technology (1948–1950), and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1950–1953) before earning his Ph.D. from Clare Hall, University of Cambridge (1953–1956). ## Why They Matter Ivar Giæver's work in quantum tunneling and the development of the tunneling microscope fundamentally advanced surface science and nanotechnology. His research laid the groundwork for atomic-scale imaging, influencing fields like materials science, electronics, and quantum computing. As a recipient of the Nobel Prize and multiple prestigious awards, Giæver's contributions have shaped modern physics and engineering, making him a key figure in condensed matter physics. ## Notable For - Co-developer of the tunneling microscope (1958), earning the Nobel Prize in Physics (1973) - Recipient of the Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Prize (1952) for theoretical contributions - Guggenheim Fellowship (1956) for early research in quantum tunneling - Golden Plate Award (1997) from the American Academy of Achievement - Gunnerus Medal (1981) from the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters - Pioneering research in superconductivity and quantum phenomena - Long-term professor at the University of Oslo (1963–1997) ## Body ### Early Life and Education Ivar Giæver was born on April 5, 1929, in Bergen, Norway. He attended Hamar Cathedral School from 1946 to 1948 and the Norwegian Institute of Technology from 1948 to 1950. He earned a B.S. in physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1953 and a Ph.D. from Clare Hall, University of Cambridge in 1956. ### Career and Research Giæver began his academic career at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute from 1956 to 1961. He then moved to the Norwegian Institute of Technology from 1961 to 1963 before joining the University of Oslo, where he remained until his retirement in 1997. His research focused on condensed matter physics, particularly quantum tunneling and superconductivity. ### Key Contributions In 1958, Giæver co-developed the tunneling microscope with Leo Esaki, which enabled atomic-scale imaging of surfaces. This breakthrough earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1973 and the Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Prize in 1952. His work in superconductivity and quantum tunneling significantly advanced the understanding of quantum phenomena and surface science. ### Awards and Recognition Giæver received numerous awards for his contributions, including the Nobel Prize in Physics (1973), the Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Prize (1952), the Guggenheim Fellowship (1956), the Golden Plate Award (1997), and the Gunnerus Medal (1981). These honors recognized his pioneering work in physics and his influence on the field. ### Legacy and Influence Ivar Giæver's development of the tunneling microscope revolutionized surface science and nanotechnology. His research laid the foundation for atomic-scale imaging, influencing fields like materials science, electronics, and quantum computing. As a professor at the University of Oslo, he mentored numerous students and researchers, shaping the next generation of physicists. His work continues to impact modern physics and engineering, making him a key figure in condensed matter physics. ## References 1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978) 2. [Ivar Giaever, Nobel Winner in Quantum Physics, Dies at 96. The New York Times. 2025](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/08/science/ivar-giaever-dead.html) 3. Czech National Authority Database 4. [The Nobel Prize in Physics 1973. nobelprize.org](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/1973/summary/) 5. [Table showing prize amounts. Nobel Foundation. 2019](https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2019/04/prize-amounts-2020.pdf) 6. [Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Physics Prize. American Physical Society](https://www.aps.org/programs/honors/prizes/buckley.cfm) 7. [Golden Plate Awardees listed by year. Academy of Achievement](https://achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/all-honorees/) 8. Virtual International Authority File 9. CiNii Research 10. MusicBrainz 11. NNDB 12. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 13. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 14. Great Norwegian Encyclopedia 15. Proleksis Encyclopedia 16. Munzinger Personen 17. [Nobelpris-vinner Ivar Giæver er død. 2025](https://www.vg.no/nyheter/i/0VadK6/nobelpris-vinner-ivar-giaever-er-doed) 18. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 19. [Source](http://www.nasonline.org/member-directory/living-member-list.html)