Klaus von Klitzing

Klaus von Klitzing is a German physicist who discovered the integer quantum Hall effect in 1980 and received the 1985 Nobel Prize in Physics.

Quantum Hall effect: A family of quantized Hall phenomena in two-dimensional electron systems under strong magnetic fields. Von Klitzing’s 1980 discovery was the first observed member of this family.
Integer quantum Hall effect: The quantization of Hall conductance into integer multiples of the conductance quantum in a two-dimensional electron system. This is the specific effect von Klitzing discovered.
Silicon MOSFET: A silicon metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor whose gate voltage controls a conducting surface layer. Von Klitzing used a silicon MOSFET to create the two-dimensional electron system in his 1980 experiment.
Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research: A research institute in Stuttgart focused on the physics and chemistry of solid materials. Von Klitzing has led this institute as director since 1985.
Von Klitzing constant: The resistance quantum defined as Planck’s constant divided by the square of the elementary charge. The integer Hall plateaus occur at integer fractions of this resistance.
Hall effect: A voltage across a current-carrying conductor produced by a magnetic field perpendicular to the current. The quantum Hall effect is the low-temperature, strong-field regime of this familiar transverse-voltage phenomenon.
High magnetic field: A magnetic field strong enough to substantially alter charged-particle motion and energy levels. The experiment required strong fields to resolve the quantized Hall plateaus.
Heinrich Welker: A German physicist known for semiconductor research and for developing semiconductor materials at Siemens. Welker supervised von Klitzing’s doctoral research at the University of Würzburg.
SI base units: The seven fundamental units of the International System of Units. The exact value of the von Klitzing constant supports the modern realization of the kilogram and electrical units.
Landau levels: Discrete energy levels occupied by charged particles moving in a magnetic field. Their filling governs the integer sequence of Hall plateaus.

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