Physics in the communication field

For at least two generations the communications industry has interacted very closely with certain exciting areas of physics. The mutual benefits flowing to the technology and to the science, respectively, have been obvious to everyone involved. The central role of the electron tube in the instrumentation of physics and in the communication of information is well known. Solid‐state devices are clearly destined for a similar role. This interaction has provoked extensive direct contributions to basic physics, especially in physical electronics, radio astronomy, and the solid state. Several of the contributors have received Nobel Prizes for their work.