Prize Recipient

Hugh Churchill
Oberlin College

Citation:

"Low-temperature infrared spectroscopy of H₂ in solid C₆₀."

Background:

Hugh Churchill is a 2006 graduate of Oberlin College with a B.A. in physics and mathematics and a BM. in tuba performance. Working with Prof. Stephen FitzGerald and fellow Oberlin students, he used infrared spectroscopy to probe the dynamics of H₂ trapped in a C₆₀ lattice. The design and construction of a cryogenic apparatus extended high as 100 atm. The low temperature spectra contained much sharper peaks and a rich fine structure, allowing more precise determination of the details of the C₆₀-H₂ interaction potential and the general behavior of trapped H_2.

Hugh is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in mesoscopic physics at Harvard University with an NSF Fellowship.

Selection Committee:

Helen R. Quinn (Chair), Marvin Cohen (Vice Chair), David Newman, Bruce Partridge, David Landau, Nancy Haegel, Marc Sher, David Goldhaber-Gordon, Michael Crommie, Alan Chodos