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Meet Nobel Laureate Albert Fert: A Pioneer in Spintronics

Albert Fert, born in 1938 in Carcassonne, France, is a physicist and a pioneer in the field of spintronics – a field of electronics that deals with the use of the electron's spin rather than its charge to transmit and process information. In 2007, Fert received the Nobel Prize in Physics, together with Peter Grünberg, for their groundbreaking discovery of giant magnetoresistance, a phenomenon that has revolutionized the way we store and read data in our computers, smartphones, and other devices.

Early Life and Career

Fert received his undergraduate degree in physics from the University of Grenoble in 1962 and his Ph.D. in 1963 from the Orsay faculty of the University of Paris. After completing his Ph.D., Fert joined the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) and worked at various research institutions in France and abroad. In the early 1980s, Fert's interest turned to the study of magnetic materials and their properties, which eventually led to his groundbreaking discovery of giant magnetoresistance.

Discovery of Giant Magnetoresistance

Giant magnetoresistance (GMR) is a quantum mechanical effect that occurs in thin films of certain metals and alloys. When a magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the film's surface, the resistance of the film changes as the spins of the electrons in the film align or misalign with the magnetic field. In 1988, Fert and his team discovered that the resistance of a thin layer of iron separated by a thin layer of non-magnetic metal, such as copper, could change by a factor of 10 when a magnetic field was applied. This discovery was the basis for the development of spin-valve read heads used in modern hard disk drives, allowing for much higher storage density and reliability than was previously possible.

Impact on Technology

Fert's discovery of GMR has had a profound impact on modern technology. Today, GMR is used in a wide range of applications, from hard disk drives to magnetic sensors used in cars, airplanes, and other devices. GMR has also paved the way for the development of new technologies such as spintronics, which aims to use the spin of the electron to create new types of electronic devices that are faster, smaller, and more energy-efficient than traditional devices based on charge.

Other Contributions

In addition to his work on GMR, Fert has made significant contributions to the study of magnetic materials and their properties, including the discovery of magnetic domains, the study of magnetic hysteresis, and the development of new materials for spintronics applications. Fert has also been involved in the development of scientific collaboration between Europe and other countries, serving as the head of the European Institute of Technology and Innovation and as a member of the European Science Foundation.

Conclusion

Albert Fert's contributions to the field of spintronics have had a profound impact on modern technology and have opened up new avenues for research and innovation in the field of electronics. Fert's discovery of giant magnetoresistance, along with his numerous other contributions to the study of magnetic materials, have earned him numerous awards and honors, including the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2007. Today, Fert continues to inspire and mentor young scientists, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and make new discoveries that will shape the future of technology and science.