The 1997 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to William Daniel Phillips for his contributions to the development of methods to cool and trap atoms with laser light. His invention of the Zeeman slower remains a foundational element in the study of gaseous atoms, allowing researchers to observe atomic movement with unprecedented clarity and precision.
Early Education and Academic Foundation
Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in 1948, Phillips attended Camp Hill High School, where he graduated as valedictorian in 1966. He subsequently pursued higher education at Juniata College, graduating summa cum laude in 1970. He completed his formal training by earning a Doctor of Philosophy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where his doctoral thesis focused on the magnetic moment of the proton in H2O.
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Phillips joined the National Bureau of Standards, now the National Institute of Standards and Technology, in 1978. Much of his research career centered on laser cooling, a process that enables the deceleration of gaseous atoms. His work has also included investigations into Bose–Einstein condensates. Throughout his tenure, he has been recognized with multiple honors, including the Samuel Wesley Stratton Award in 1987 and the Albert A. Michelson Medal in 1996.
Academic Appointments and Public Engagement
Beyond his laboratory research, Phillips serves as a university teacher at the University of Maryland, College Park, within the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. His professional service includes roles at The Catholic University of America, the Washington University School of Medicine, and the University of Queensland. He has actively participated in the science and religion dialogue and holds memberships in the National Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.
Fast facts
- Born: 1948, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
- Nobel Prize in Physics: 1997
- Education: Juniata College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Notable Invention: Zeeman slower
- Primary Employer: National Institute of Standards and Technology
- Professional Membership: Pontifical Academy of Sciences
- Academic Focus: Physics
Questions readers ask
What was the specific contribution that led to his Nobel Prize?
He was honored for his development of methods to cool and trap atoms using laser light, specifically through his invention of the Zeeman slower.
Where does William Daniel Phillips teach?
He serves as a professor of physics at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Achievements
- Nobel Prize in Physics — 1997
- Affiliated with National Institute of Standards and Technology, University of Maryland and The Catholic University of America
- Educated at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Worked as physicist and university teacher
