Louis Rosen
Encyclopedia
Louis Rosen was a nuclear physicist, the "father" of the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center
.
Dr. Rosen held a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree from the University of Alabama
and a Doctorate in Physics
from Pennsylvania State University
. He had never taken a course in Nuclear Physics
before arriving in Los Alamos
.
During World War II
, Rosen worked in the Manhattan Project
.
did not stay, Dr. Rosen remained there his entire career, and was still working there two days before his death.
Dr. Rosen built the most intense atom smasher
in the world there, using a beam of protons to create an intense beam of pi meson (pion
) particles. Dr. Rosen's machine was 1000 times more powerful than any previously existing Particle accelerator
, and was used to study the interaction of pions with other nuclear material
s. Dr. Rosen called his machine " A badly needed bridge between subnuclear and nuclear physics
."
Rosen was awarded the Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award
in 1963.
in Albuquerque, New Mexico
on August 15, 2009, reported by his granddaughter Ambyr Hardy. He was survived by his brother, Bernard; two grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.
Los Alamos Neutron Science Center
The Los Alamos Neutron Science Center , formerly known as the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility is one of the world's most powerful linear accelerators. It is located in Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico in Technical Area 53 . It was the most powerful linear accelerator in the world...
.
Dr. Rosen held a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree from the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
and a Doctorate in Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
from Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
. He had never taken a course in Nuclear Physics
Nuclear physics
Nuclear physics is the field of physics that studies the building blocks and interactions of atomic nuclei. The most commonly known applications of nuclear physics are nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons technology, but the research has provided application in many fields, including those...
before arriving in Los Alamos
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos National Laboratory is a United States Department of Energy national laboratory, managed and operated by Los Alamos National Security , located in Los Alamos, New Mexico...
.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Rosen worked in the Manhattan Project
Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was a research and development program, led by the United States with participation from the United Kingdom and Canada, that produced the first atomic bomb during World War II. From 1942 to 1946, the project was under the direction of Major General Leslie Groves of the US Army...
.
A Career Spanning Seven Decades
While most of his colleagues at Los AlamosLos Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos National Laboratory is a United States Department of Energy national laboratory, managed and operated by Los Alamos National Security , located in Los Alamos, New Mexico...
did not stay, Dr. Rosen remained there his entire career, and was still working there two days before his death.
Dr. Rosen built the most intense atom smasher
Atom Smasher
Albert Rothstein is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe. Atom Smasher is known for his power of growth and super strength. Created by Roy Thomas and Jerry Ordway, he first appeared in All-Star Squadron #25...
in the world there, using a beam of protons to create an intense beam of pi meson (pion
Pion
In particle physics, a pion is any of three subatomic particles: , , and . Pions are the lightest mesons and they play an important role in explaining the low-energy properties of the strong nuclear force....
) particles. Dr. Rosen's machine was 1000 times more powerful than any previously existing Particle accelerator
Particle accelerator
A particle accelerator is a device that uses electromagnetic fields to propel charged particles to high speeds and to contain them in well-defined beams. An ordinary CRT television set is a simple form of accelerator. There are two basic types: electrostatic and oscillating field accelerators.In...
, and was used to study the interaction of pions with other nuclear material
Nuclear material
Nuclear material refers to the metals uranium, plutonium, and thorium, in any form, according to the IAEA. This is differentiated further into "source material", consisting of natural and depleted uranium, and "special fissionable material", consisting of enriched uranium , uranium-233, and...
s. Dr. Rosen called his machine " A badly needed bridge between subnuclear and nuclear physics
Nuclear physics
Nuclear physics is the field of physics that studies the building blocks and interactions of atomic nuclei. The most commonly known applications of nuclear physics are nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons technology, but the research has provided application in many fields, including those...
."
Personal life
Dr. Rosen's wife Mary, to whom he was married for sixty years, died in 2004.Rosen was awarded the Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award
Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award
The Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award was established in 1959 in honor of a scientist who helped elevate American physics to the status of world leader in the field....
in 1963.
Death
Dr. Rosen died of a subdural hematomaSubdural hematoma
A subdural hematoma or subdural haematoma , also known as a subdural haemorrhage , is a type of haematoma, a form of traumatic brain injury. Blood gathers within the outermost meningeal layer, between the dura mater, which adheres to the skull, and the arachnoid mater, which envelops the brain...
in Albuquerque, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
on August 15, 2009, reported by his granddaughter Ambyr Hardy. He was survived by his brother, Bernard; two grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.
External links
- http://www.newsday.com/los-alamos-scientist-louis-rosen-dies-at-91-1.1390149
- http://www.kvia.com/Global/story.asp?S=10979615&nav=abc0
- http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jj4yj37U9DWYfLMh8iNpt2MokknAD9A9Q8U00
- http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/06/science/06rosen.html?ref=obituaries