# Walter H. Schottky > German physicist (1886–1976) **Wikidata**: [Q60347](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60347) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Schottky) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/walter-h-schottky ## Summary Walter H. Schottky was born on July 23, 1886 in Zurich[1][2][3][4] and died on March 4, 1976 in Forchheim[1][5][2][3][6]. He was a physicist, inventor, university teacher, engineer, and electrotechnician[7] whose fields included solid-state physics, physics, electrical engineering, and electronics[7]. He was educated at Frederick William University Berlin and the University of Würzburg.Schottky's employers included the University of Rostock (1923–1927), the University of Würzburg (1919–1923), Friedrich Schiller University Jena (1912–1914), and Siemens (1914–1919). He received the Werner von Siemens Ring, Hughes Medal, Carl Friedrich Gauss Medal, Honorary doctor of the Technical University of Berlin, and honorary doctor of ETH Zürich[8]. He was buried at Pretzfeld[6]. ## Summary Walter H. Schottky (1886-1976) was a German physicist who made foundational contributions to electronics, solid-state physics, and semiconductor technology. His work on electron emission phenomena and metal-semiconductor junctions led to the development of the Schottky barrier, Schottky diode, and the theoretical understanding of the Schottky effect and Schottky defect. ## Biography - Born: 1886-1976 - Nationality: German - Education: Unknown from provided material - Known for: Contributions to electronics, solid-state physics, and semiconductor technology - Employer(s): Siemens (German multinational conglomerate company) - Field(s): Physics, electrical engineering, electronics, solid-state physics ## Contributions - Schottky Barrier: A potential energy barrier in metal-semiconductor junctions (conceptual contribution) - Schottky Defect: A type of point defect in a crystal lattice (theoretical contribution) - Schottky Effect: A phenomenon in condensed matter physics related to electron emission (discovery/contribution) - Schottky Diode: A diode with a low forward voltage drop, formed by a semiconductor-metal junction, developed in 1938 (technological invention) ## FAQs 1. What is Walter H. Schottky best known for? Walter H. Schottky is best known for his contributions to electronics and semiconductor physics, particularly the Schottky barrier, Schottky effect, and Schottky diode. 2. Where did Walter H. Schottky work during his career? Schottky was affiliated with Siemens, a German multinational conglomerate company, and taught at several universities including the University of Würzburg and Friedrich Schiller University Jena. 3. What awards did Walter H. Schottky receive? Schottky received the Werner von Siemens Ring, Hughes Medal from the Royal Society of London, Carl Friedrich Gauss Medal, and honorary doctorates from the Technical University of Berlin and ETH Zürich. 4. What significant scientific phenomena did Schottky discover? Schottky discovered or contributed to understanding the Schottky effect (electron emission), Schottky barrier (metal-semiconductor junction potential), and Schottky defect (crystal lattice point defect). ## Why They Matter Walter H. Schottky fundamentally advanced the field of electronics and solid-state physics. His work on the Schottky barrier and diode became essential components in modern electronic devices, enabling more efficient power conversion and signal detection in countless applications from consumer electronics to industrial systems. The Schottky effect revolutionized understanding of electron emission, critical for vacuum tube technology and later semiconductor applications. His research provided foundational knowledge that shaped the development of modern electronics, making his contributions indispensable to the technological progress of the 20th century. ## Notable For - Pioneer in solid-state physics and electronics - Discovery/contribution to the Schottky barrier concept - Development of the Schottky diode in 1938 - Formulation of the Schottky effect in condensed matter physics - Identification of the Schottky defect in crystal lattices - Recipient of the Werner von Siemens Ring (1916-) - Recipient of the Hughes Medal from the Royal Society of London - Recipient of the Carl Friedrich Gauss Medal - Recipient of honorary doctorates from Technical University of Berlin and ETH Zürich - Namesake of the Walter Schottky Prize awarded by the German Physical Society (established 1972) ## Body ### Early Life and Career Walter H. Schottky (1886-1976) was a German physicist whose full names were Walter Hermann Schottky or Walter Hans Schottky. He lived during a period that spanned both the German Reich (1871-1945) and West Germany (1949-1990). Schottky served as a university teacher at several institutions including Frederick William University Berlin (a predecessor of Humboldt University), University of Würzburg, University of Rostock, and Friedrich Schiller University Jena. ### Research and Professional Affiliations Schottky was employed by Siemens, the German multinational conglomerate company founded in 1847. His work at Siemens likely contributed to his research and development activities in electronics and solid-state physics. As a physicist, inventor, university teacher, engineer, and electrotechnician, Schottky contributed to multiple interconnected fields including physics, electrical engineering, electronics, and solid-state physics. ### Major Scientific Contributions Schottky made significant contributions across multiple areas of physics: - **Electronics and Electron Emission**: He conducted research on electron emission phenomena, which led to the formulation of the Schottky effect—a phenomenon in condensed matter physics related to how electrons are emitted from metal surfaces under the influence of electric fields. - **Semiconductor Physics**: Schottky identified the potential energy barrier that exists at the junction between a metal and a semiconductor, now known as the Schottky barrier. This fundamental concept became essential for understanding diode behavior and semiconductor device operation. - **Crystal Defects**: He described a specific type of point defect in crystal lattices, known as the Schottky defect, which occurs when an atom is missing from its lattice position, creating a vacancy. - **Practical Device Development**: In 1938, Schottky developed the Schottky diode, a type of diode characterized by its low forward voltage drop, formed by a semiconductor-metal junction. This innovation has become a staple in modern electronic circuits for its efficiency in switching applications. ### Impact and Recognition Schottky received numerous honors during his career, including: - Werner von Siemens Ring: A prestigious natural scientific and technical award established in 1916 - Hughes Medal: Awarded by the Royal Society of London - Carl Friedrich Gauss Medal: A science medal awarded by Braunschweigische Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft - Honorary doctorate from the Technical University of Berlin - Honorary doctorate from ETH Zürich In recognition of his contributions, the German Physical Society established the Walter Schottky Prize in 1972, named in his honor. ### Enduring Legacy Walter H. Schottky's name remains embedded in multiple fundamental concepts of physics and electronics: - The Schottky barrier continues to be a critical concept in semiconductor physics - The Schottky diode remains widely used for its low forward voltage and fast switching characteristics - The Schottky effect remains an important consideration in electron emission studies - The Schottky defect is still referenced in materials science and solid-state physics His contributions laid essential groundwork for the development of modern electronics, particularly in the field of power devices and semiconductor technology. The Walter Schottky Prize continues to recognize outstanding research in solid-state physics, ensuring his legacy endures in the scientific community. ## References 1. Integrated Authority File 2. [Source](https://www.deutsche-biographie.de/gnd118759183.html) 3. Czech National Authority Database 4. [Source](https://cpr.uni-rostock.de/resolve/id/cpr_person_00002340) 5. International Standard Name Identifier 6. Virtual International Authority File 7. CiNii Research 8. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 9. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 10. BnF authorities 11. SNAC 12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 13. nobelprize.org 14. Library of Congress Control Number 15. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File