Albert Einstein discovered a phenomena.
Albert Einstein . He received the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics `` for his services to theoretical physics , and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect '' , a pivotal step in the evolution of quantum theory . Photoelectric effect . The phenomenon is commonly studied in electronic physics , as well as in fields of chemistry , such as quantum chemistry or electrochemistry . Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1921 for `` his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect '' , and Millikan was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1923 for `` his work on the elementary charge of electricity and on the photoelectric effect '' .