Peter Grünberg

Peter Grünberg was a German physicist renowned for his groundbreaking work in condensed matter physics, particularly in the study of magnetoresistance. He is best known for discovering giant magnetoresistance (GMR) in the 1980s. This phenomenon occurs when the electrical resistance of a material decreases significantly in the presence of a magnetic field. GMR is foundational for modern data storage technologies, such as hard drives and magnetic sensors, allowing for higher data density and improved performance. Grünberg's contributions advanced our understanding of magnetic materials and had a profound impact on technology and information processing.