Arthur Schawlow
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Past research involved applying laser and other spectroscopic techniques to a wide range of problems in basic physics. In recent years these have included methods of simplifying complex atomic or molecular spectra by using a laser to label one chosen lower level, which is periodically depleted or oriented. Sensitive (non-laser) spectroscopy has been used to detect rare earth ions in single atomic layers and in metals. Recently investigated factors affecting tunability of semi-conductor diode lasers, and the uses of these lasers for spectroscopy.
- Experimental Atomic Physics
- Quantum Electronics
- Laser Physics
CAREER HISTORY
- J.G. Jackson and C.J. Wood Professor of Physics
- B.A., 1941, M.A., 1942,
- Ph.D., 1949, University of Toronto
- Co-inventor, with Charles H. Townes, of the laser, 1958
- Postdoctoral Fellow and Research Associate, Columbia University, 1949-51
- Research Physicist, Bell Telephone Laboratories, 1951-61
- Stuart Ballantine Medal, 1962
- Frederick Ives Medal
- Golden Plate Award
- Richtmyer Memorial Prize Lecturer
- Fellow of the American Physical Society, 1966
- Fellow of the Optical Society of America, 1966
- Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
- Fellow of the American Association of the Advancement of Science
- Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- Fellow of the American Philosophical Society
- Fellow of the Institute of Physics (Great Britian)
- California Scientist of the Year, 1973
- 1981 Nobel Prize in Physics for his contribution to the development of laser spectroscopy
- U.S. National Medal of Science
- Honorary degrees from Belgium, Canada, England, Ireland, Sweden, and U.S.
- President of the Optical Society of America, 1975
- President of the American Physical Society, 1981
- Inductee in the Inventor's Hall of Fame, 1996