Charles Hard Townes
- Born:
- July 28, 1915, Greenville, South Carolina, USA
- Died:
- January 27, 2015, Oakland, California, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Physicist, Professor, Inventor
Early Life and Education
- Received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Bachelor of Arts degree in Modern Languages from Furman University in 1935.
- Earned a Master of Arts degree in Physics from Duke University in 1937.
- Obtained a Ph.D. in Physics from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 1939. His doctoral research focused on isotope separation and spin.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked at Bell Telephone Laboratories (1939-1947) on radar bombing systems during World War II and post-war, transitioning to fundamental research.
- Joined Columbia University in 1948, becoming a full professor in 1950.
- Conceived the idea of the maser (Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) in 1951, and built the first working maser in 1954.
- Served as Provost of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) from 1961 to 1966.
- Joined the University of California, Berkeley, in 1967, where he continued research in astrophysics and infrared astronomy.
- Shared the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1964 with Nikolay Basov and Alexander Prokhorov for fundamental work in the field of quantum electronics, which led to the construction of oscillators and amplifiers based on the maser-laser principle.
Notable Works
- Inventor of the maser, a device that amplifies microwaves using stimulated emission.
- Pioneering work leading to the development of the laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation).
- Extensive research in microwave spectroscopy, radio astronomy, and infrared astronomy.
Legacy and Impact
Charles Hard Townes' work revolutionized fields such as physics, astronomy, and telecommunications. His invention of the maser and contributions to the development of the laser laid the foundation for numerous technological advancements, influencing fields ranging from medicine to consumer electronics.
The impact of his work is still being felt today. This `charles hard townes biography` highlights the key contributions of a brilliant scientific mind.
Awards and Recognition
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| Nobel Prize in Physics | 1964 |
| Stuart Ballantine Medal | 1959 |
| Comstock Prize in Physics | 1958 |
| National Medal of Science | 1982 |