Nevill Francis Mott earned the 1977 Nobel Prize for Physics for his theoretical analysis of electronic structures within magnetic and disordered systems. His research clarified why amorphous materials can function as either metals or insulators. This work, conducted primarily in the United Kingdom, provided a foundational framework for understanding solid-state physics and the development of modern semiconductors.
Academic Foundation
Born in 1905 in Leeds, Mott received his early education at Clifton College before attending St John's College, Cambridge. He studied under the supervision of Ralph Fowler while reading the Mathematics Tripos. His career included appointments at the University of Manchester and a return to Cambridge as a fellow at Gonville and Caius College, where he later served as Master from 1959 to 1966.
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Moving to the University of Bristol in 1933 as the Melville Wills Professor, Mott pioneered research in atomic and electronic collisions. His 1936 publication, written with H. Jones, established a model for metallic alloys and the behavior of valence electrons. Further work, including studies on oxidation and photographic emulsions, influenced the understanding of latent images and impurity distribution within semiconductor bands.
Wartime Research and Leadership
During the Second World War, Mott worked within an Army radar research unit. He resolved calibration failures in GL Mk. II radar systems by installing a large metal wire mat to create a stable reference plane. Following the war, he directed the Henry Herbert Wills Physical Laboratory at Bristol, fostering significant advancements in the study of dislocations and crystalline structures.
Recognition and Legacy
Throughout his career, Mott received numerous international honors, including the Copley Medal in 1972 and the Companion of Honour in 1995. He held honorary doctorates from the universities of Grenoble, Poitiers, and Bordeaux-I. A member of the Royal Society and the National Academy of Sciences, he died in Milton Keynes in 1996.
Fast facts
- Born: 1905, Leeds
- Died: 1996, Milton Keynes
- Nobel Prize for Physics: 1977
- Cavendish Professor of Physics: 1954-1971
- Master of Gonville and Caius College: 1959-1966
- Copley Medal recipient: 1972
Questions readers ask
What was Mott's primary scientific contribution?
He developed theoretical explanations for the electronic properties of magnetic, disordered, and amorphous materials.
Did he hold roles outside of pure research?
Yes, he served as the Master of Gonville and Caius College and held the position of Cavendish Professor of Physics.
Achievements
- Affiliated with University of Bristol
- Educated at St John's College and University of Cambridge
- Worked as physicist and university teacher
