NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSICS
October 10, 2000

Zhores I. Alferov, Russian, 70, A.F. Ioffe Physico-Technical Institute, St. Petersburg Herbert Kroemer, German-born American, 72, University of California, Santa Barbara Jack S. Kilby, American, 76, Texas Instruments, Dallas Herbert Kroemer and chemistry prize winner Alan MacDiarmid discuss their research.

Online Special: 2000 Nobel Prizes Oct. 13, 2000: A background report and discussion on peace prize winner Kim Dae Jung. Oct. 10, 2000: Nobel Prize winners MacDiarmid and Kroemer talk about their research. Oct. 9, 2000: A discussion with Nobel Prize winner Paul Greengard. An Online Special on the 1999 Nobel Prizes Browse the NewsHour's coverage of Science and Health     The Nobel Foundation AF Ioffe Physico-Technical Institute University of California, Santa Barbara Texas Instruments

The 2000 Nobel Prize in Physics went to Zhores I. Alferov and Herbert Kroemer for their work on semiconductors and to Jack S. Kilby for developing the integrated circuit. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences made the announcement Oct. 10, lauding the three scientists and inventors "whose work has laid the foundation of modern information technology." Alferov and Kroemer were honored for early research on microelectronic components known as semiconductor heterostructures. Heterostructure technology is used in transistors and laser diodes that drive satellite links, mobile phones, CD players and the Internet's fiber-optic cables. Kilby helped develop the integrated circuit, precursor to the computer microchip. Much of Kilby's breakthrough work occurred during the summer of 1958 when he worked alone at the Texas Instruments lab, because he had not accrued enough time for a vacation. Kilby also co-invented the pocket calculator.