The foundation of modern nonlinear optics rests upon the high-intensity light research pioneered by Nicolaas Bloembergen. Born in 1920 in Dordrecht, Netherlands, he fundamentally altered laser spectroscopy by mixing laser beams to produce varied wavelengths. His contributions to theoretical physics earned him a shared Nobel Prize in 1981 and solidified his status as a leading figure in quantum physics.
Early Academic Formation
Bloembergen began his physics studies at Utrecht University in 1938, earning his C.Phil. in 1941 and doctorandus in 1943. German occupation forced him into hiding for two years. In 1945, he relocated to Harvard University to study under Edward Mills Purcell. He contributed to the early development of nuclear magnetic resonance machines, systems now serving as the technological predecessors to modern medical MRI scanners.
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He returned to the Netherlands to complete his doctoral thesis, titled Nuclear Magnetic Relaxation, at Leiden University, receiving his Ph.D. in 1948. He rejoined Harvard in 1949 as a junior fellow. His career progressed through several titles, including Gordon McKay Professor of Applied Physics in 1957, Rumford Professor of Physics in 1974, and Gerhard Gade University Professor in 1980, before his 1990 retirement.
Nonlinear Optics and Laser Development
At Harvard in 1956, Bloembergen developed a crystal maser that improved upon the gaseous version designed by Charles Townes. His later work in nonlinear optics examined how high-intensity photon beams interact with matter. By generating infrared and ultraviolet frequencies from visible laser sources, he significantly expanded the detail obtainable in laser spectroscopy, a discovery that led to his Nobel Prize in 1981.
Final Years and Legacy
Bloembergen held professorships at the University of Arizona and Leiden University later in his life. He was a member of numerous esteemed organizations, including the French Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences. He died in Tucson, Arizona, in 2017 at the age of 97. His conceptual work remains active, with researchers successfully applying his 1961 proposals for electric field nuclear control as recently as 2020.
Fast facts
- Born: 1920, Dordrecht, Netherlands
- Died: 2017, Tucson, Arizona
- Nobel Prize in Physics: 1981
- Education: Utrecht University, Leiden University, Harvard University
- Citizenship: United States, Netherlands
- Primary Fields: Optics, Theoretical Physics, Quantum Physics
- Professional Affiliations: Harvard University, University of Arizona, Leiden University
Questions readers ask
What is Nicolaas Bloembergen's most significant contribution to physics?
He founded the field of nonlinear optics and developed driving principles for laser spectroscopy.
Did Bloembergen contribute to medical imaging technology?
Yes, his early research on nuclear magnetic resonance machines at Harvard served as the predecessor to modern MRI technology.
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