James Edward Zimmerman
Encyclopedia
James Edward Zimmerman was born in Lantry, South Dakota
. He was a coinventor of the radio-frequency superconducting quantum
interference device (SQUID
) and he is credited with coining the term.
While at NIST, Jim introduced two important innovations in SQUID magnetometry:
In addition, in the late 70's and early 80's, he also gave a major contribution
to the development of low-power closed-cycle Stirling refrigerators
,
to reach temperatures in the range 4K - 8K with the purpose of cooling
SQUID
devices and small-scale superconducting electronics
without resorting to
liquid helium
dewar
vessels.
A major achievement was the use of plastic parts made in the laboratory,
which would be assembled in a totally non-magnetic cryocooler
(refrigerator),
in order not to interfere with highly sensitive SQUID's
.
Later, he was also involved in the development of pulse-tube cryocoolers.
, B.S. Electrical Engineering 1943
Carnegie Institute of Technology
, ScD Physics 1951 – 1953
Samuel Wesley Stratton
Award, the highest award for scientific achievement conferred by NIST
In 1987 he became one of the first to make a SQUID using the newly discovered high-temperature superconductors.
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
. He was a coinventor of the radio-frequency superconducting quantum
Quantum
In physics, a quantum is the minimum amount of any physical entity involved in an interaction. Behind this, one finds the fundamental notion that a physical property may be "quantized," referred to as "the hypothesis of quantization". This means that the magnitude can take on only certain discrete...
interference device (SQUID
SQUID
A SQUID is a very sensitive magnetometer used to measure extremely weak magnetic fields, based on superconducting loops containing Josephson junctions....
) and he is credited with coining the term.
Career
- Westinghouse Research Laboratory, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania - 1943 – ??
- Smithsonian InstitutionSmithsonian InstitutionThe Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
, 1953 – 1955 - Ford Motor CompanyFord Motor CompanyFord Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
, Scientific Laboratory in Dearborn, Michigan, 1955 – 1969 - SHE (now BTI), Founder 1969 – 1970
- National Bureau of Standards, 1970 – 1985
While at NIST, Jim introduced two important innovations in SQUID magnetometry:
- Fractional-turn SQUID, improving the coupling efficiency
- SQUID gradiometer, improving sensitivity to nearby fields
In addition, in the late 70's and early 80's, he also gave a major contribution
to the development of low-power closed-cycle Stirling refrigerators
Stirling engine
A Stirling engine is a heat engine operating by cyclic compression and expansion of air or other gas, the working fluid, at different temperature levels such that there is a net conversion of heat energy to mechanical work....
,
to reach temperatures in the range 4K - 8K with the purpose of cooling
SQUID
SQUID
A SQUID is a very sensitive magnetometer used to measure extremely weak magnetic fields, based on superconducting loops containing Josephson junctions....
devices and small-scale superconducting electronics
Technological applications of superconductivity
Some of the technological applications of superconductivity include:* the production of sensitive magnetometers based on SQUIDs* fast digital circuits ,...
without resorting to
liquid helium
Liquid helium
Helium exists in liquid form only at extremely low temperatures. The boiling point and critical point depend on the isotope of the helium; see the table below for values. The density of liquid helium-4 at its boiling point and 1 atmosphere is approximately 0.125 g/mL Helium-4 was first liquefied...
dewar
Dewar
Dewar may refer to:*Clan Dewar* Vacuum flask , a container with vacuum insulation; used to keep the contents hot or cold for an extended period...
vessels.
A major achievement was the use of plastic parts made in the laboratory,
which would be assembled in a totally non-magnetic cryocooler
Cryocooler
Cryocoolers are the devices used to reach cryogenic temperatures by cycling certain gases.A cryostat is likely to be used to reach and/or maintain similar conditions or keep some environment in cryogenic stasis...
(refrigerator),
in order not to interfere with highly sensitive SQUID's
SQUID
A SQUID is a very sensitive magnetometer used to measure extremely weak magnetic fields, based on superconducting loops containing Josephson junctions....
.
Later, he was also involved in the development of pulse-tube cryocoolers.
Education
South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologySouth Dakota School of Mines and Technology
The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public institution of higher learning in Rapid City, South Dakota governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents. Founded in 1885 as the Dakota School of Mines, Tech offers degree programs in engineering and science fields. 2,354 students were...
, B.S. Electrical Engineering 1943
Carnegie Institute of Technology
Carnegie Institute of Technology
The Carnegie Institute of Technology , is the name for Carnegie Mellon University’s College of Engineering. It was first called the Carnegie Technical Schools, or Carnegie Tech, when it was founded in 1900 by Andrew Carnegie who intended to build a “first class technical school” in Pittsburgh,...
, ScD Physics 1951 – 1953
Awards
NIST FellowSamuel Wesley Stratton
Samuel Wesley Stratton
Samuel Wesley Stratton was an administrator in the American government, physicist, and educator.Stratton was born on farm in Litchfield, Illinois on July 18, 1861. In his youth he kept farm machinery in repair and worked as a mechanic and carpenter...
Award, the highest award for scientific achievement conferred by NIST
In 1987 he became one of the first to make a SQUID using the newly discovered high-temperature superconductors.