Director Andreas J. Heinrich won Heinrich Rohrer Medal
- Date2020.07.08
- 5162
Andreas J. Heinrich, a director of Center for Quantum Nanoscience (QNS) of Institute of Basic Science (IBS) won Heinrich Rohrer Medal (Grand Medal). Japan Society of Vacuum and Surface Science announced that "a breakthrough development of the STM research method to study the spin characteristics of magnetic atoms on the surface to reveal the quantum characteristics of magnetic force on an atomic scale" as the reason for selection of Director Heinrich.
Director Heinrich is an authority in the field of atomic-level quantum measurement of solid substances. He also designed and developed a low-temperature ultra-high vacuum scanning tunneling microscope that provides the energy resolution required to measure the spin excitation of atoms and the Zeeman splitting of free electrons.
This microscope is a spin spectroscopy that has paved the way for major scientific innovations in fields such as the All-electric Pump-probe technique for measuring the spin life of an atom, and a new technique that makes electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements of individual atoms possible using STM.
The research conducted by Director Heinrich is meaningful in that it opened the door to the study of coherence control for atomic-level quantum methods as well as the spin coherent properties of atoms and surfaces. Using STM's atomic-level control, it is now possible to fabricate and assemble them to have the desired function.
This medal, which was awarded to Director Heinrich, was innitiated in 2013 by the Japanese Society for Vacuum and Surface Science in cooperation with IBM Research in Zurich, the Swiss Embassy in Japan, and Professor Rohrer, and it is presented to those who have achieved great achievements in the fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology. The Grand Medal is given to researchers who have made remarkable contributions in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology based on surface science, and through this, have made significant progress in science and technology. “I felt a special bond with Professor Heinrich Rohrer and it was an honor to be able to speak at his memorial service a few years ago. I am deeply moved to receive the recognition as well as the medal inscribed with Professor Rohrer's name.” said Director Heinrich.
The medal is awarded every three years, and past winners include Joseph Stroscio and Roland Wiesendanger. The medal award ceremony will be held at the 9th International Symposium on Surface Science (ISSS-9) held in Takamatsu, Japan, where the winners will give lectures/conversations on the award. The symposium was scheduled to be held this fall, but was postponed to the following year due to Covid-19.