Charles K. Kao

Dates

November 4, 1933 – present

Authorized Form of Name

Kao, Charles K., 1933-

Additional Forms of Names

Kao, C. K. (Charles K.), 1933-

Kao, Charles, 1933-

Kao, Charles Kuen, 1933-

Biography

Abstract

Charles Kuen Kao was Chief Executive Officer ITX Services Ltd., Hong Kong and Transtech Services Ltd., Hong Kong (1997-2007). Other institutional affiliations included Chinese University of Hong Kong and ITT Corporation. His research interests included fiber optics and optical communications.

Important Dates

November 4, 1933Birth, Shanghai (China).

1957Obtained BSc, Woolwich Polytechnic, University of London, London (England).

1957 – 1970Development Engineer, Standard Telephones and Cables Ltd. (1957-1960) and Principal Research Engineer, Standard Telecommunication Laboratories Ltd. (1960-1970), ITT Corporation, Harlow (England).

1965Obtained PhD in Electrical Engineering, University College London, London (England).

1970 – 1974Professor of Electronics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (China).

1974 – 1987Chief Scientist, Electro-Optical Products Division (1974-1981); Vice President and Director of Engineering (1981-1983); and Executive Scientist and Director of Research, Advanced Technology Center (1983-1987), ITT Corporation, Harlow (England).

1987 – 1996Vice Chancellor, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (China).

1997 – 2007Chief Executive Officer, ITX Services Ltd. and Transtech Services Ltd, Hong Kong (China).

2009Awarded Nobel Prize in Physics "for groundbreaking achievements concerning the transmission of light in fibers for optical communication".

Occupation

Applied physicist.

Places

Subjects

Applied physics and engineering.

Fiber optics.

Optical communications.

Science and industry.

Relationships

People

Family

Kao, Chun Hsin

Father.

Kao, May Gwen

Wife.

Kao, Timothy

Brother.

Advisors & Collaborators

Barlow, H. M. (Harold Monteagle), 1899-

PhD advisor at University College, London.

Additional

Boyle, Willard S., 1924-2011

Shared Nobel Prize in Physics in 2009.

Smith, George E., 1930-

Shared Nobel Prize in Physics in 2009.

Institutions

Major Positions

Chinese University of Hong Kong

Professor of Electronics and Vice Chancellor.

ITT Corporation

Development Engineer, Standard Telephones and Cables Ltd.; Principal Research Engineer, Standard Telecommunication Laboratories Ltd.; Chief Scientist, Electro-Optical Products Division; Vice President and Director of Engineering; and Executive Scientist and Director of Research, Advanced Technology Center.

ITX Services Ltd.

Chief Executive Officer.

Transtech Services Ltd.

Chief Executive Officer.