Laureates of the Japan Prize
The 1995 (11th) Japan Prize
Materials Processing Technologies
Outstanding contributions to research and practical applications of light emitting diodes and lasers through pioneering achievements in the understanding of physical principles and in the process technology of intermetallic compound semiconductors
Dr. Nick Holonyak, Jr. (USA)
| Professor, Center for Advanced Study, John Bardeen Chair Professor, University of Illinois Born in 1928 |
| Award Citation |
|---|
Dr. Holonyak, focused his research on intermetallic compound semiconductors, which led him to the invention of the first practical light emitting diode (LED) by the use of GaAsP crystals. In 1962, he made the first visible light semiconductor laser. He extended his research to develop ternary and quaternary compound semiconductors, and was the first to succeed in independent control of the energy gap and lattice constant for preparing devices. He was the first (1978) to achieve continuous room temperature operation of a laser with quantum-well-structure. Dr. Holonyak's achievements ranging from research to practical developments on light-emitting diodes and lasers gave continuous stimulus and remarkable enrichment both to physics and technology. |