H. David Politzer

Biography

Abstract

David Politzer is Richard Chase Tolman Professor of Theoretical Physics at California Institute of Technology (2004-present). Other institutional affiliations include Harvard University. His research interests include theoretical physics and the science of music. In 2004 he won the Nobel Prize in Physics with David J. Gross and Frank Wilczek for the discovery of asymptotic freedom in the theory of the strong interaction.

Important Dates

August 31, 1949Birth, New York (N.Y.).

1969Obtained BS, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Mich.).

1974Obtained MA and PhD in Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge (Mass.).

1974 – 1977Junior Fellow, Society of Fellows, Harvard University.

1975 – presentVisiting Associate (1975-1976); Associate Professor of Physics (1976-1979); Professor of Theoretical Physics (1979-2004); Executive Office, Department of Physics (1986-1988); and Richard Chase Tolman Professor of Theoretical Physics (2004-present), California Institute of Technology, Pasadena (Calif.).

1986Awarded 1986 J. J. Sakurai Prize for Theoretical Particle Physics, American Physical Society.

2004Awarded Nobel Prize in Physics with David J. Gross and Frank Wilczek "for the discovery of asymptotic freedom in the theory of the strong interaction".

Occupation

Theoretical physicist.

Places

Birth

New York (N.Y.)

Undergraduate Education

Ann Arbor (Mich.)

Graduate Education

Cambridge (Mass.)

Employment

Pasadena (Calif.)

Subjects

Strong interactions (Nuclear physics)

Theoretical physics.

Relationships

People

Advisors & Collaborators

Coleman, Sidney, 1937-2007

PhD advisor at Harvard University, "Asymptotic freedom; an approach to strong interactions," and both employed at Harvard University.

Gross, David J. (David Jonathan)

Shared 2004 Nobel Prize in Physics along with Frank Wilczek "for the discovery of asymptotic freedom in the theory of the strong interaction".

Wilczek, Frank

Shared 2004 Nobel Prize in Physics along with David J. Gross "for the discovery of asymptotic freedom in the theory of the strong interaction".

Colleagues

Anderson, Carl D. (Carl David), 1905-1991

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Bacher, Robert F. (Robert Fox), 1905-2004

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Bainbridge, Kenneth T. (Kenneth Tompkins), 1904-1996

Both employed at Harvard University.

Barish, B. C. (Barry Clark), 1936-

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Bloembergen, N.

Both employed at Harvard University.

Boehm, Felix

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Brown, Harold, 1927-2019

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Christy, Robert F.

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Deser, S. (Stanley)

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

DuBridge, Lee A. (Lee Alvin), 1901-1994

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

DuMond, Jesse W. M. (Jesse William Monroe), 1892-1976

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Eisenstein, James P. (James Philip)

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Everhart, Thomas E.

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Feynman, Richard P. (Richard Phillips), 1918-1988

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Fowler, William A.

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Freedman, Daniel Z.

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Furry, W. H. (Wendell Hinkle), 1907-

Both employed at Harvard University.

Gates, S. James

Both employed at Harvard University and California Institute of Technology.

Gell-Mann, Murray

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Georgi, Howard

Both employed at Harvard University.

Glashow, Sheldon L.

Both employed at Harvard University.

Glauber, Roy J., 1925-

Both employed at Harvard University.

Goldberger, Marvin L.

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Hooft, G. 't

Both employed at Harvard University.

Kimble, H. Jeff (Harry Jeffrey), 1949-

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Koonin, Steven E.

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Lange, Andrew

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Leighton, Robert B.

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Martin, Paul Cecil, 1931-

Both employed at Harvard University.

McKeown, R. D.

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Nelson, David R., 1951-

Both employed at Harvard University.

Pound, Robert V.

Both employed at Harvard University.

Purcell, Edward M.

Both employed at Harvard University.

Quinn, Helen R.

Both employed at Harvard University.

Ramsey, Norman, 1915-2011

Both employed at Harvard University.

Schwarz, John H.

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Sciulli, Frank J.

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Spencer, Thomas, 1946-

Both employed at Harvard University.

Street, Jabez Curry, 1906-

Both employed at Harvard University.

Thorne, Kip S.

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Tinkham, Michael

Both employed at Harvard University.

Tollestrup, Alvin

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Weinberg, Steven, 1933-

Both employed at Harvard University.

Wise, Mark B., 1953-

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Ye, Jun, 1967-

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Zweig, George

Both employed at California Institute of Technology.

Additional

Pickering, Andrew, 1948-

Institutions

Major Positions

California Institute of Technology. Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy

Visiting Associate; Associate Professor of Physics; Professor of Theoretical Physics; Executive Officer; and Richard Chase Tolman Professor of Theoretical Physics.

Harvard University. Department of Physics

Obtained MA and PhD (1974). Junior Fellow, Society of Fellows.

Professional Activities & Affiliations

American Physical Society

Received 1986 J. J. Sakurai Prize for Theoretical Particle Physics.

University of Michigan. Department of Physics

Obtained BS (1969).

Resources

Archival Resources

Author

Andrew Pickering interviews conducted for his book CONSTRUCTING QUARKS, 1978-1982.

Niels Bohr Library & Archives

American Institute of Physics

One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA

Subject

American Institute of Physics Physics Today division Bertram Schwarzschild Nobel Prize files, 1954-2013.

Niels Bohr Library & Archives

American Institute of Physics

One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA