Charles Pence Slichter | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Born | (1924-01-21)21 January 1924 |
| Died | 19 February 2018(2018-02-19) (aged 94) |
| Alma mater | Harvard University (BA,MA,PhD) |
| Known for | J-coupling, Overhauser effect, Hebel–Slichter effect |
| Awards | National Medal of Science (2007) Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Prize (1996) Comstock Prize in Physics (1993) Irving Langmuir Award (1969) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Physics |
| Institutions | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
| Doctoral advisor | Edward Purcell[1] |
Charles Pence Slichter (January 21, 1924 – February 19, 2018[2][1]) was an Americanphysicist, best known for his work onnuclear magnetic resonance andsuperconductivity.
He was awarded the 2007National Medal of Science "for establishing nuclear magnetic resonance as a powerful tool to reveal the fundamental molecular properties of liquids and solids. His inspired teaching has led generations of physicists and chemists to develop a host of modern technologies in condensed matter physics, chemistry, biology and medicine."[3]
Slichter was born in 1924 inIthaca, New York. He attendedHarvard University, where in 1949 received his Ph.D. under the supervision ofEdward Purcell.[1]
Slichter was a professor of physics and chemistry at theUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 1949 until his retirement in 2006.
He spent one sabbatical semester (Spring 1961) as Morris Loeb Lecturer atHarvard University.[4] The lectures he gave there formed the nucleus of his book "Principles of Magnetic Resonance".
Slichter served as a member of theNational Science Board from 1976–1984; as a member and vice-chair[5] of thePresident's Science Advisory Committee from 1965–1969; as a member of the President's Committee on theNational Medal of Science, 1969–1974; and as a member of the President's Committee on Science and Technology Policy, 1976.[6]
Slichter was a member (Fellow) of theHarvard Corporation,Harvard's senior governing body, from 1970–1995.[7] He chaired the search committee that selectedNeil Rudenstine as thepresident of Harvard in 1991.[8] He was an elected member of the United StatesNational Academy of Sciences,[9] theAmerican Academy of Arts and Sciences,[10] and theAmerican Philosophical Society.[11]
Slichter's research focused primarily onNMR andsuperconductivity. His most important work includes:[12]
Other notable scientific contributions include the introduction of phase sensitive detection to pulsed NMR and its use to detect weak signals, studies ofcharge density waves and of theKondo effect, the theory ofchemical shifts, NMR studies ofhigh-temperature superconductivity, theory of the effects of chemical exchange on NMR spectra, and studies of NMR of metal surfaces (catalysis).[13]
Slichter was the recipient of numerous awards, in addition to the 2007 National Medal of Science. In 1993 Slichter was awarded theComstock Prize in Physics from theNational Academy of Sciences.[14] In 1969 he received theLangmuir Prize, and 1996 theBuckley Prize, both from theAmerican Physical Society.[15][13] TheAmerican Chemical Society honored his discovery ofJ-coupling with a Citation for Chemical Breakthrough Award in 2016.[16][17] Slichter was anAlfred P. Sloan Fellow from 1955–1961.
Slichter received honorary Doctor of Science degrees from theUniversity of Waterloo (1993) andLeipzig University (2010), and an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) degree fromHarvard University in 1996.[6]
Slichter was the son of economistSumner Slichter, the grandson of mathematicianCharles S. Slichter, the nephew of geophysicistLouis B. Slichter, the father of musicianJacob Slichter,[18] and brother ofBell Labs executiveWilliam P. Slichter.[19]
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