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 Media AB 2018. Tue. 11 Dec 2018. <https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/1986/summary/>

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

Learn more

Nobel Prizes 2018

This year 12 new laureates have been awarded for achievements that have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind.

Their work and discoveries range from cancer therapy and laser physics to developing proteins that can solve humankind’s chemical problems. The work of the 2018 Nobel Laureates also included combating war crimes, as well as integrating innovation and climate with economic growth. Find out more.
Nobel prizes burgundy 2018

Explore prizes and laureates

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