Louis Eug�ne F�lix N�el ForMemRS was a French physicist born in Lyon. He studied at the Lyc�e du Parc in Lyon and was accepted at the �cole Normale Sup�rieure in Paris. He obtained the degree of Doctor of Science at the University of Strasbourg. He was corecipient of the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1970 for his pioneering studies of the magnetic properties of solids. His contributions to solid state physics have found numerous useful applications, particularly in the development of improved computer memory units. About 1930 he suggested that a new form of magnetic behavior might exist; called antiferromagnetism, as opposed to ferromagnetism. Above a certain temperature this behaviour stops. N�el pointed out that materials could also exist showing ferrimagnetism. N�el has also given an explanation of the weak magnetism of certain rocks, making possible the study of the history of Earth's magnetic field. 

November 22nd, 1904 in Lyon  /  Died:   Nov 17th, 2000