In the summer of 1961, Heinrich Rohrer got married to Rose-Marie Egger, marking a significant personal milestone that also influenced his professional life. This marriage led him and his wife on a honeymoon trip to the United States, where he spent two years as a postdoctoral researcher at Rutgers University in New Jersey. During this time, he worked under Professor Bernie Serin, focusing on studying the thermal conductivity of type-II superconductors and metals.
The quote reflects not only Heinrich Rohrer's personal achievements but also highlights the profound impact his marriage had on his career trajectory. The stabilizing influence that Rose-Marie Egger provided allowed Rohrer to focus deeply on his scientific work during a critical period when he was establishing himself in his field. This demonstrates how supportive relationships can be instrumental in enabling individuals to reach their professional goals, especially in demanding and competitive environments like academic research.
Heinrich Rohrer is a renowned physicist known for co-inventing the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) alongside Gerd Binnig. Their invention revolutionized surface science by allowing scientists to visualize individual atoms on surfaces, which earned them the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1986. This groundbreaking work was preceded by his foundational research during his postdoctoral years at Rutgers University, as mentioned in the quote. Rohrer's contributions continue to influence various scientific disciplines and technology development today.
