Walter Schottky (physicist)

Walter Schottky was a German physicist renowned for his contributions to semiconductor physics and electronic device theory. He developed the concept of the "Schottky barrier," which describes how charges behave at metal-semiconductor interfaces, enabling the design of faster, more efficient electronic components. His work laid the groundwork for modern semiconductor technology, including diodes and transistors, fundamental to computers and electronics today. Schottky’s insights into charge transport and electronic noise significantly advanced understanding in solid-state physics, making him a key figure in the development of modern electronics.