Burton Richter

Burton Richter was born on March 22, 1931, in Brooklyn, New York. He was raised in the Queens neighborhood of Far Rockaway. He went on to become an influential American physicist known for his work in particle physics and accelerator physics, and he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1976 for his discovery of the J/ψ meson, a subatomic particle that contributed greatly to the understanding of the fundamental structure of matter.

Burton Richter completed his Ph.D. in physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1963. His doctoral research laid the foundation for his illustrious career in particle physics. After his Ph.D., he joined the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, where he began his groundbreaking research that would eventually lead to his discovery of the J/ψ meson and his Nobel Prize win.

Between November 11, 1974, and November 11, 1975, Burton Richter and his team at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center made a groundbreaking discovery with the identification of the J/ψ particle. This discovery led to a significant advancement in quantum chromodynamics and was a major breakthrough in the quark model of hadronic structure. It verified the existence of the then-theoretical charmed quark and reinforced the model of quark confinement in quantum physics.

In 1976, Burton Richter was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics along with Samuel Ting. They independently discovered the J/ψ meson, a particle that played a key role in the development of the quark model in particle physics. This discovery provided evidence for the existence of the charm quark, which was an important step in the unification of the electromagnetic and weak forces and helped to establish the Standard Model as the prevailing theory of particle physics.

In 1984, Burton Richter became the director of the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC), a position he held until 1999. During his tenure, he led numerous key projects, expanding the facility's capabilities and contributing to cutting-edge research in particle physics. Under his leadership, SLAC pursued groundbreaking experiments that further expanded the understanding of fundamental particles and high-energy physics.

In 1995, experiments conducted at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory provided the first direct evidence for the existence of the tau neutrino, the third type of neutrino predicted by the Standard Model. While Burton Richter was not directly involved in this win, his pioneering work on tau particles and SLAC's contribution to tau lepton physics and experiments helped in laying the groundwork that facilitated this discovery.

Burton Richter retired from his position as director of the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in 1999 after 15 years of service. His leadership had been instrumental in advancing research at the facility and he left a legacy of significant scientific contributions and innovations in particle physics. Even after retiring, he continued to be active in the scientific community, contributing to research and policy.

In 2007, Burton Richter published a book titled "Beyond Smoke and Mirrors: Climate Change and Energy in the 21st Century." In this book, he addresses the pressing issue of climate change, discussing the roles of science, technology, and policy in tackling environmental challenges. Through his writings, Richter aims to educate the public and policymakers about the science of climate change and the energy challenges that the world faces in the foreseeable future.

In November 2011, Burton Richter chaired a significant study by the National Academy of Sciences on energy policy. This study provided a detailed analysis of America's energy challenges and offered recommendations for sustainable energy solutions. Richter's experience in physics and his understanding of climate change from both a scientific and policy perspective gave him valuable insights into formulating strategies to address energy and environmental issues.

Burton Richter passed away on July 18, 2018, at the age of 87. A renowned physicist, Richter left behind a legacy of contributions to the field of particle physics, including his Nobel Prize-winning discovery of the J/ψ meson. Throughout his career, he was known not just for his scientific acumen, but also for his leadership in scientific research and his efforts to apply scientific principles in addressing real-world challenges, such as energy policy and climate change.