Prize Recipient


Fay Ajzenberg-Selove

Background:

Born 1926

B.S. in Engineering (Physics), University of Michigan (1946)
Ph.D. in Physics, University of Wisconsin (1952)
Doctorate, Honoris Causa, Smith College (1995)
Doctorate, Honoris Causa, Michigan State University (1997)
Doctorate, Honoris Causa, Haverford College (1999)
1999 Nicholson Medal for Humanitarian Service, American Physical Society
Distinguished Alumni Fellow Award, Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin (2001)

Office: 2N34, David Rittenhouse Laboratory
Phone: 898-5645
Email: fay@pobox.upenn.edu

My principal scholarly work has been the preparation of evaluated reviews and summaries of what is known about the nuclei with mass numbers 5 to 20. These include isotopes of hydrogen, helium, lithium, beryllium, boron, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, neon and sodium. These elements are among the most interesting both from the point of view of basic nuclear research, and for understanding the nucleosynthesis of elements in stars. Applied uses include energy generation through fusion, dating of artifacts, and nuclear medicine. Each year, over 1200 scientific papers are written by scientists all over the world dealing with the spectroscopy of the light nuclei; that is, the ways in which these nuclei absorb and emit energy.

Positions Held

  • J.S. Guggenheim Fellow (1965-66)
  • Chair, Division of Nuclear Physics, American Physical Society (1973-74)
  • Member, Governing Council, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) (1974-80)
  • Chair, Commission on Nuclear Physics, International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (1978-81)
  • Member, Department of Energy/National Science Foundation, Nuclear Science Advisory Committee (NSAC), (1977-80)
  • Christian and Mary Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching (1991)
Selected Publications
  1. F. Ajzenberg-Selove, "Energy Levels of Light Nuclei, A = 5-10," Nucl. Phys. A490 1-225 (1988).
  2. F. Ajzenberg-Selove, "Energy Levels of Light Nuclei, A = 11-12," Nucl. Phys. A506, 1-158 (1990).
  3. F. Ajzenberg-Selove, "Energy Levels of Light Nuclei, A = 13-15," Nucl. Phys. A523, 1-196 (1991).
  4. F. Ajzenberg-Selove, "Energy Levels of Light Nuclei, A = 16-17," Nucl. Phys. A460 1-148 (1986).
  5. F. Ajzenberg-Selove, "Energy Levels of Light Nuclei, A = 18-20," Nucl. Phys. A475 1-198 (1987).
  6. F. Ajzenberg-Selove, R.E. Brown, E.R. Flynn and J.W. Sunier, "Experimental Location of Gamow-Teller Strength for Astrophysical Calculations in the Region of A = 54-58," Phys. Rev. C 30 1850-1854 (1984).
  7. F. Ajzenberg-Selove, R.E. Brown, E.R. Flynn and J.W. Sunier, "(t, ^3He) Reactions on Fe56, Fe58, and Ni58," Phys. Rev. C 31 777-786


    Selection Committee:

    Barbara G. Levi (Chair), Wallace M Manheimer, Vitaly L. Ginzburg (98 Recipient), Roy W. Gould (Vice Chair), Peter Zimmerman