The Nobel Prize in Physics 1986

Ernst Ruska

Photo from the Nobel Foundation archive.

Prize share: 1/2

Gerd Binnig

Photo from the Nobel Foundation archive.

Prize share: 1/4

Heinrich Rohrer

Photo from the Nobel Foundation archive.

Prize share: 1/4

The Nobel Prize in Physics 1986 was divided, one half awarded to Ernst Ruska "for his fundamental work in electron optics, and for the design of the first electron microscope", the other half jointly to Gerd Binnig and Heinrich Rohrer "for their design of the scanning tunneling microscope"

To cite this section
MLA style: The Nobel Prize in Physics 1986. NobelPrize.org. Nobel Prize Outreach AB 2023. Sun. 3 Dec 2023. <https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/1986/summary/>

Back to top Back To Top Takes users back to the top of the page

Nobel Prizes and laureates

Nobel Prizes 2023

Eleven laureates were awarded a Nobel Prize in 2023, for achievements that have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind. Their work and discoveries range from effective mRNA vaccines and attosecond physics to fighting against the oppression of women.

See them all presented here.
Illustration

Explore prizes and laureates

Look for popular awards and laureates in different fields, and discover the history of the Nobel Prize.