Arthur Schawlow
Early Life and Education
Arthur Leonard Schawlow was born on May 5, 1921, in Mount Vernon, New York. His father, Arthur Schawlow, was a Jewish immigrant from Latvia, and his mother, Helen Mason, was a Canadian of Scottish descent. The family moved to Toronto, Canada, when Arthur was three years old. Schawlow attended Vaughan Road Collegiate Institute, where he excelled in mathematics and physics. He later attended the University of Toronto, earning his bachelor's degree in 1941. His education was interrupted by World War II, during which he worked on radar development at the Canadian National Research Council. After the war, Schawlow returned to the University of Toronto to complete his Ph.D. in physics under the supervision of Professor Malcolm Crawford in 1949.
Academic and Research Career
Early Research
After completing his Ph.D., Schawlow accepted a postdoctoral position at Columbia University, where he worked with Charles Townes, a prominent physicist known for his work on microwave spectroscopy. This collaboration led to significant advancements in the field of maser technology. Schawlow and Townes co-authored a seminal paper in 1958 that proposed the concept of the laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation), a device that would later revolutionize numerous scientific and industrial fields.
Contributions to Laser Technology
Schawlow's work on lasers was groundbreaking. He and Townes demonstrated that it was possible to achieve coherent light amplification using stimulated emission. This work laid the foundation for the development of the first operational laser by Theodore Maiman in 1960. Schawlow's contributions to the theoretical understanding of laser operation were critical in advancing the technology. He explored various aspects of laser physics, including optical resonators, mode locking, and nonlinear optics. His research provided insights into the behavior of light and its interaction with matter, which were essential for the development of practical laser systems.
Academic Positions
In 1961, Schawlow joined the faculty at Stanford University as a professor of physics. At Stanford, he continued his research on lasers and their applications. He mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom went on to make significant contributions to the field of laser physics. Schawlow's laboratory at Stanford became a hub for cutting-edge research in optics and photonics.
Nobel Prize and Later Work
Nobel Prize in Physics
In 1981, Arthur Schawlow was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics along with Nicolaas Bloembergen and Kai Siegbahn. Schawlow received the prize for his contributions to the development of laser spectroscopy, a technique that uses lasers to study the properties of atoms and molecules. His work in this area enabled precise measurements of atomic and molecular spectra, leading to a deeper understanding of fundamental physical processes.
Later Research and Contributions
After receiving the Nobel Prize, Schawlow continued to make significant contributions to the field of laser physics. He explored new applications of lasers in medicine, communications, and manufacturing. Schawlow's research on laser cooling and trapping of atoms opened new avenues for experimental physics, leading to the development of Bose-Einstein condensates and other quantum phenomena.
Personal Life and Legacy
Personal Life
Arthur Schawlow married Aurelia Townes, the sister of his collaborator Charles Townes, in 1951. The couple had three children. Schawlow was known for his modesty and dedication to his family and students. He was also an advocate for individuals with autism, inspired by his son Arthur Jr., who was diagnosed with the condition.
Legacy
Arthur Schawlow's contributions to laser physics and spectroscopy have had a profound impact on science and technology. His work has paved the way for numerous advancements in fields ranging from telecommunications to medical diagnostics. Schawlow's legacy is also reflected in the many students and researchers he mentored, who continue to advance the frontiers of physics and engineering.