Charles Kittel
Encyclopedia
Charles Kittel is an American
physicist
. He was a Professor
at University of California, Berkeley
from 1951 and has been Professor Emeritus
since 1978.
, England
, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts
(BA) in 1938. He published his thesis
in 1941 at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
and joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT) between 1945 and 1947. During World War II
, he joined the Submarine Operations Research Group (SORG). From 1947 to 1951, he worked for Bell Laboratories, New Jersey
, USA, especially on ferromagnetism
.
From 1951 to 1978, he worked at the University of California, Berkeley
, where he taught and did research in the field of theoretical solid-state physics
, a part of condensed-matter physics. He was awarded three times with Guggenheim Fellowship
s in 1945, 1956 and 1963.
Physics students worldwide study his classic text Introduction to Solid State Physics, now in its 8th edition.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
physicist
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
. He was a Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
at University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
from 1951 and has been Professor Emeritus
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
since 1978.
Life and work
Charles Kittel studied at the University of CambridgeUniversity of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
(BA) in 1938. He published his thesis
Thesis
A dissertation or thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings...
in 1941 at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
and joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
(MIT) between 1945 and 1947. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he joined the Submarine Operations Research Group (SORG). From 1947 to 1951, he worked for Bell Laboratories, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, USA, especially on ferromagnetism
Ferromagnetism
Ferromagnetism is the basic mechanism by which certain materials form permanent magnets, or are attracted to magnets. In physics, several different types of magnetism are distinguished...
.
From 1951 to 1978, he worked at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
, where he taught and did research in the field of theoretical solid-state physics
Solid-state physics
Solid-state physics is the study of rigid matter, or solids, through methods such as quantum mechanics, crystallography, electromagnetism, and metallurgy. It is the largest branch of condensed matter physics. Solid-state physics studies how the large-scale properties of solid materials result from...
, a part of condensed-matter physics. He was awarded three times with Guggenheim Fellowship
Guggenheim Fellowship
Guggenheim Fellowships are American grants that have been awarded annually since 1925 by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation to those "who have demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the arts." Each year, the foundation makes...
s in 1945, 1956 and 1963.
Physics students worldwide study his classic text Introduction to Solid State Physics, now in its 8th edition.
Awards
- Buckley Prize for Solid State Physics, 1957
- Berkeley Distinguished Teacher Award, 1970
- Oersted Medal, American Association of Physics Teachers, 1972
Works
- Introduction to Solid State Physics, 1st ed. 1953 - 8th ed. 2005, ISBN 047141526X
- Quantum Theory of Solids, 1963, ISBN 0471490253 and (with C. Y. Fong) 1987, ISBN 0471624128
- Thermal Physics, 2nd ed. 1980, ISBN 0716710889, and (with H. KroemerHerbert KroemerHerbert Kroemer , a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara, received his Ph.D. in theoretical physics in 1952 from the University of Göttingen, Germany, with a dissertation on hot electron effects in the then-new transistor, setting the stage...
) 1980. - Berkeley Physics CourseBerkeley Physics CourseBerkeley Physics Course is a lecture course in physics of UC Berkeley professors, first published by Mcgraw-Hill College in 1965 .* Mechanics. Vol. 1 by Charles Kittel, Walter Knight, Malvin A. Ruderman, Authors, J. A. Lewis, Reviewer...
. Mechanics. Vol. 1, with Walter Knight and Malvin A. Ruderman