Roger James Elliott
Encyclopedia
Sir Roger James Elliott is a British theoretical
physicist
specialising in the magnetic, semiconductor
and optical
properties of condensed matter
.
Elliott obtained a DPhil in mathematics and theoretical physics from the University of Oxford
in 1952. He was a research fellow
at the University of California, Berkeley
in 1952–3, then at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment
until 1955, when he was appointed to a lecturership at the University of Reading
. He returned to the University of Oxford
in 1957, where he was the Wykeham Professor
of Physics from 1974 until 1988. He served as chief executive of Oxford University Press
from 1988 until 1993.
The Institute of Physics
awarded the Maxwell Medal and Prize
jointly to Elliott and Kenneth Stevens in 1968, and the Guthrie Medal and Prize
to Elliott in 1990. Elliott was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1976 and knighted in 1987.
Theoretical physics
Theoretical physics is a branch of physics which employs mathematical models and abstractions of physics to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena...
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...
specialising in the magnetic, semiconductor
Semiconductor
A semiconductor is a material with electrical conductivity due to electron flow intermediate in magnitude between that of a conductor and an insulator. This means a conductivity roughly in the range of 103 to 10−8 siemens per centimeter...
and optical
Optical physics
Optical physics, or optical science, is a subfield of atomic, molecular, and optical physics. It is the study of the generation of electromagnetic radiation, the properties of that radiation, and the interaction of that radiation with matter, especially its manipulation and control...
properties of condensed matter
Condensed matter physics
Condensed matter physics deals with the physical properties of condensed phases of matter. These properties appear when a number of atoms at the supramolecular and macromolecular scale interact strongly and adhere to each other or are otherwise highly concentrated in a system. The most familiar...
.
Elliott obtained a DPhil in mathematics and theoretical physics from the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
in 1952. He was a research fellow
Research fellow
The title of research fellow is used to denote a research position at a university or similar institution, usually for academic staff or faculty members. A research fellow may act either as an independent investigator or under the supervision of a principal investigator...
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...
in 1952–3, then at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment
Atomic Energy Research Establishment
The Atomic Energy Research Establishment near Harwell, Oxfordshire, was the main centre for atomic energy research and development in the United Kingdom from the 1940s to the 1990s.-Founding:...
until 1955, when he was appointed to a lecturership at the University of Reading
University of Reading
The University of Reading is a university in the English town of Reading, Berkshire. The University was established in 1892 as University College, Reading and received its Royal Charter in 1926. It is based on several campuses in, and around, the town of Reading.The University has a long tradition...
. He returned to the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
in 1957, where he was the Wykeham Professor
Wykeham Professor
The University of Oxford has three statutory professorships named after William of Wykeham.-Logic:The Wykeham Professorship in Logic was established in 1859, although it was not known as the Wykeham chair until later...
of Physics from 1974 until 1988. He served as chief executive of Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
from 1988 until 1993.
The Institute of Physics
Institute of Physics
The Institute of Physics is a scientific charity devoted to increasing the practice, understanding and application of physics. It has a worldwide membership of around 40,000....
awarded the Maxwell Medal and Prize
Maxwell Medal and Prize
The Maxwell Medal and Prize is one of the principal awards made annually by the Institute of Physics. The award is made for outstanding contributions to theoretical physics and is intended to recognize theoretical physicists early in their careers....
jointly to Elliott and Kenneth Stevens in 1968, and the Guthrie Medal and Prize
Guthrie Medal and Prize
The Faraday Medal and Prize is a prize awarded annually by the Institute of Physics. The prize is awarded for "outstanding contributions to experimental physics, to a physicist of international reputation in any sector."...
to Elliott in 1990. Elliott was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1976 and knighted in 1987.
External links
- Homepage at the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics, University of Oxford.