Conrad Longmire
Encyclopedia
Conrad Lee Longmire was an American
theoretical physicist
who was best known as the discoverer of the mechanism behind high-altitude electromagnetic pulse
.
In 1961, Longmire was awarded the Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award
"for continued and original theoretical contributions, requiring unusual insight, to the development of nuclear weapons and the progress of plasma physics." In 2004 he was awarded the Los Alamos Medal
, the nuclear laboratory's highest award.
In 1963, he was given the electromagnetic pulse
data for the 1962 Operation Fishbowl
high-altitude nuclear tests code-named Bluegill Triple Prime
and Kingfish
. The electromagnetic pulse data had puzzled other physicists. Longmire successfully deduced why the electromagnetic pulse was so much stronger than had been erroneously calculated by Nobel-laureate Hans Bethe
, and Longmire was able to derive the calculations that are still used today.
. After spending some time working on radar
at the MIT Radiation Laboratory, Longmire attended the University of Rochester
in New York, where he received his doctorate in theoretical physics in 1948.
In 1949 Longmire joined Los Alamos National Laboratory
, working in the theoretical division from 1949 to 1969. In his early years at Los Alamos, he took sabbaticals to teach at Rochester University and Columbia University
, teaching for one year at each institution. In 1970, Longmire co-founded Mission Research Corporation with two other scientists, but continued to be a Lab Associate for Los Alamos National Laboratories.
and died from complications from the disease on March 22, 2010 at the age of 88. He was survived by his wife, Theresa, and by several children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Many of Conrad Longmire's papers on nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP) have been declassified, and many of those papers now form the essential basic reading components for scientists and others learning about the phenomenon of high-altitude nuclear EMP, especially as this topic is increasingly discussed in the news media and by government agencies.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
theoretical physicist
Theoretical physics
Theoretical physics is a branch of physics which employs mathematical models and abstractions of physics to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena...
who was best known as the discoverer of the mechanism behind high-altitude electromagnetic pulse
Electromagnetic pulse
An electromagnetic pulse is a burst of electromagnetic radiation. The abrupt pulse of electromagnetic radiation usually results from certain types of high energy explosions, especially a nuclear explosion, or from a suddenly fluctuating magnetic field...
.
In 1961, Longmire was awarded the Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award
Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award
The Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award was established in 1959 in honor of a scientist who helped elevate American physics to the status of world leader in the field....
"for continued and original theoretical contributions, requiring unusual insight, to the development of nuclear weapons and the progress of plasma physics." In 2004 he was awarded the Los Alamos Medal
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos National Laboratory is a United States Department of Energy national laboratory, managed and operated by Los Alamos National Security , located in Los Alamos, New Mexico...
, the nuclear laboratory's highest award.
Key scientific contributions
Longmire performed several of the key design calculations on the very first thermonuclear weapons produced by the United States.In 1963, he was given the electromagnetic pulse
Electromagnetic pulse
An electromagnetic pulse is a burst of electromagnetic radiation. The abrupt pulse of electromagnetic radiation usually results from certain types of high energy explosions, especially a nuclear explosion, or from a suddenly fluctuating magnetic field...
data for the 1962 Operation Fishbowl
Operation Fishbowl
Operation Fishbowl was a series of high altitude nuclear tests in 1962 that were carried out by the United States as a part of the larger Operation Dominic nuclear test program.-Introduction:...
high-altitude nuclear tests code-named Bluegill Triple Prime
Operation Fishbowl
Operation Fishbowl was a series of high altitude nuclear tests in 1962 that were carried out by the United States as a part of the larger Operation Dominic nuclear test program.-Introduction:...
and Kingfish
Operation Fishbowl
Operation Fishbowl was a series of high altitude nuclear tests in 1962 that were carried out by the United States as a part of the larger Operation Dominic nuclear test program.-Introduction:...
. The electromagnetic pulse data had puzzled other physicists. Longmire successfully deduced why the electromagnetic pulse was so much stronger than had been erroneously calculated by Nobel-laureate Hans Bethe
Hans Bethe
Hans Albrecht Bethe was a German-American nuclear physicist, and Nobel laureate in physics for his work on the theory of stellar nucleosynthesis. A versatile theoretical physicist, Bethe also made important contributions to quantum electrodynamics, nuclear physics, solid-state physics and...
, and Longmire was able to derive the calculations that are still used today.
Early years
Longmire graduated as valedictorian from Sibley High School in 1939 He did his undergraduate study at the University of Illinois in Urbana, graduating in 1942 with a degree in engineering physicsEngineering physics
Engineering physics is the study of the combined disciplines of physics, engineering and mathematics in order to develop an understanding of the interrelationships of these three disciplines. Fundamental physics is combined with problem solving and engineering skills, which then has broad...
. After spending some time working on radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
at the MIT Radiation Laboratory, Longmire attended the University of Rochester
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private, nonsectarian, research university in Rochester, New York, United States. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees. The university has six schools and various interdisciplinary programs.The...
in New York, where he received his doctorate in theoretical physics in 1948.
In 1949 Longmire joined Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos National Laboratory is a United States Department of Energy national laboratory, managed and operated by Los Alamos National Security , located in Los Alamos, New Mexico...
, working in the theoretical division from 1949 to 1969. In his early years at Los Alamos, he took sabbaticals to teach at Rochester University and Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, teaching for one year at each institution. In 1970, Longmire co-founded Mission Research Corporation with two other scientists, but continued to be a Lab Associate for Los Alamos National Laboratories.
Death and Legacy
Conrad Longmire developed multiple myelomaMultiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma , also known as plasma cell myeloma or Kahler's disease , is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell normally responsible for the production of antibodies...
and died from complications from the disease on March 22, 2010 at the age of 88. He was survived by his wife, Theresa, and by several children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Many of Conrad Longmire's papers on nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP) have been declassified, and many of those papers now form the essential basic reading components for scientists and others learning about the phenomenon of high-altitude nuclear EMP, especially as this topic is increasingly discussed in the news media and by government agencies.