Ben Roy Mottelson

Ben Roy Mottelson was born on July 9, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He grew up in a Jewish family and later pursued a career in physics. Mottelson's interest in the field of physics led him to attend Purdue University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1947.

Ben Roy Mottelson completed his Ph.D. in theoretical physics at Harvard University in 1950 under the supervision of Julian Schwinger, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist. His thesis work laid the groundwork for his future contributions to nuclear physics.

In 1957, Ben Roy Mottelson became a naturalized citizen of Denmark. This marked a significant step in his life and career, as he had moved to Copenhagen to work at the Niels Bohr Institute. Mottelson's collaboration with Danish physicists enriched his research and led to groundbreaking discoveries.

During the early 1960s, Ben Roy Mottelson, along with his colleagues, conducted pioneering studies on the structure of atomic nuclei. Their research demonstrated the existence of asymmetries in certain stable atomic nuclei, challenging the previous models that assumed spherical symmetry.

Ben Roy Mottelson was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1975, jointly with Aage Bohr and James Rainwater. Their collective work on the development of the theory of the structure of the atomic nucleus, particularly the discovery of the connection between collective motion and particle motion in atomic nuclei, earned them this prestigious award.

In 1992, Ben Roy Mottelson took on a leadership role at the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics (Nordita), where he furthered the institute's mission of advancing theoretical physics research. Under his guidance, Nordita continued to contribute significantly to the field, fostering collaboration among leading physicists.

Ben Roy Mottelson, in his later career, focused on the study of rigidity in atomic nuclei. His work contributed to the understanding of nuclear deformation and the role of nucleonic interactions in determining nuclear shapes, providing key insights into the field of nuclear physics.

Ben Roy Mottelson was honored during the 50th anniversary of the Niels Bohr International Gold Medal on September 29, 2006. This event celebrated his contributions to the field of physics and his long-standing association with the Niels Bohr Institute.

Ben Roy Mottelson was awarded the Dan David Prize for his contributions to science, specifically in the field of nuclear physics. The prize recognized his role in improving the understanding of the atomic nucleus and his impact on the scientific community.

Ben Roy Mottelson passed away on May 13, 2022, at the age of 95. His death marked the end of a highly influential career in nuclear physics. Mottelson's contributions to the understanding of atomic structure and nuclear dynamics had a profound impact on the field, influencing generations of physicists.