Heinrich Welker

Heinrich Welker's work as a theoretical physicist in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s focused on the then novel fields of superconductivity and CMOS technology. Specifically, his theoretical and experimental research on gallium arsenide laid the foundations for a range of diversified industries. His pioneering ideas are at the origin of the major technology developments that led to the 1970 inauguration of the Arpanet, precursor of the Internet. Compound semiconductors are the building blocks of light-emitting devices, such as lasers, and of light-detecting devices such as photocells. They opened the way to CD players and DVD recorders, sophisticated night-vision equipment, fiber optical communications systems, solar photovoltaic panels, flat-panel displays, mobile phones, and all devices that make up the technological revolution that shapes so many aspects of our lives.