Yale has bolstered its Departments of Physics and Applied Physics with the addition of three noted professors, including French recruit Michel Devoret, hailed as one of the leading experimental condensed matter physicists of his generation, who will join the Department of Applied Physics in January.
The other two hires, who are already at Yale, are Steven Girvin, who shares Devoret's research interests, and Meg Urry. Both are professors in the Department of Physics. Devoret and Girvin are adding their talents to Yale's microelectronics program, which is a strong joint effort with the Department of Electrical Engineering.
"The appointment of these scientists, in conjunction with existing strength in the field, will make Yale among the premier centers of graduate training and research in nanostructure physics in the country," says Douglas Stone, chair of applied physics. "We are truly excited to have such an incredible amount of talent at Yale."
Devoret is currently director of research of the Condensed Matter Physics Section of the French CEA (Atomic Energy Research Center) at Saclay, a government laboratory in a suburb of Paris. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Orsay in 1982 and did postdoctoral research at the University of California at Berkeley before going to Saclay. He has received many international awards for his work, which focuses on mesoscopic physics, the study of matter on a scale that is larger than atoms yet much smaller than visible objects. Devoret's experiments have recently focused on developing the components for a "quantum computer," which would work exponentially faster than current computers.
Devoret first came to Yale in 1999 as a visiting research scientist. Stone says he had such a wonderful collaborative experience in the lab with young scientists in applied physics, such as Robert Schoelkopf and Robert Grober, that he wanted to continue that experience.
"Adding these three stellar scientists is an important manifestation of Yale's commitment to having its science and engineering programs be among the world's best," says Paul Fleury, dean of engineering. "We are particularly pleased that the interactions between Professors Devoret and Girvin will strengthen the faculty of engineering departments and the physical sciences in the emerging area of condensed matter quantum phenomena and devices."
Girvin has indicated that he was attracted to Yale by the prospect of working with the condensed matter theory group of Nick Read, Subir Sachdev, Ramamurti Shankar and Stone, and also influenced by Devoret's decision to come. Girvin is a theoretical physicist who studies the quantum mechanics of large collections of atoms, molecules and electrons that are found in superconductors, magnets and transistors. He is particularly interested in the engineering question of whether it is possible to build a quantum computer. He is collaborating with Devoret and Rob Schoelkopf in the Department of Applied Physics who are constructing superconducting circuit elements, which might someday form the basis for a quantum computer. Such a computer could in principle solve problems that are impossible on ordinary computers.
"In order to build a quantum computer it is necessary to create circuit devices which behave quantum mechanically (like individual atoms) despite the fact that they are macroscopic and consist of a very large number of atoms," explains Girvin. "In addition to potential practical applications, this difficult challenge will help us better understand the connections between the microscopic quantum world and the macroscopic classical world of everyday experience."
In addition to being professor of physics, Urry is also director of the new Yale Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics. Her scientific research focuses on active galaxies -- galaxies with unusually luminous cores that are likely powered by very massive black holes. Her group has carried out extensive multiwavelength monitoring (at radio to X- and gamma-ray wavelengths) and imaging (optical/UV) of blazars and quasars in order to understand their energetics, structure and evolution.
"The recruitment of Girvin and Devoret is universally viewed as a coup. It will further strengthen the already strong ties between physics and applied physics," says Ramamurti Shankar, chair of physics. "We expect Meg Urry to provide the crucial links with astronomy since her chosen area of galactic nuclei truly lies at the interface of the two departments. Her strong presence as a dynamic teacher and researcher should also serve as an invaluable role model to Yale students considering physics or astronomy as a career."
Urry has won many awards for her research and she holds both master's and doctoral degrees from the Johns Hopkins University, the latter for X-ray/ultraviolet studies done at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. After a postdoctoral fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, she moved to the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), which runs the Hubble Space Telescope for NASA. There she became a tenured member of the senior scientific staff most recently heading the STScI Science Program Selection Office, which oversees the solicitation and review of Hubble Space Telescope observing proposals.
Urry also maintains a long-standing interest in the issue of women and minorities in science. Her husband, Andrew Szymkowiak, formerly a NASA physicist, has also joined Yale's Department of Physics.
T H I S
Bulletin Home
Steve Girvin
Meg Urry
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
University launches review of Yale College curriculum
New hires are 'coup' for physics departments
Confessions of a 'maverick'
President Levin's Charge to the Committee on Yale College Education
Arturo Bris named Haas Assistant Professor
Yale School of Management bolsters its senior faculty ranks
Florencio López-de-Silanes, expert in world finances, to head new institute
Tragedy propels media to promote 'us-ness,' says journalist
SCHOOL OF NURSING NEWSFall American Academy of Nursing honors three from YSN
New Dorothy Sexton Scholarship honors creator . . .
Yale Health Plan members were innoculated . . .
Yale Rep's holiday season offering is farcical tale of 'hucksterism'
IN FOCUS: Yale Center for International & Area StudiesQuarterback Peter Lee honored as an outstanding scholar-athlete
Final Tercentennial Tetelman Fellow to speak at events
'Race and Reunion' wins third annual Douglass Prize
Authentic duplication of Maya murals is laborious task
Emerging Infection Program wins support for study . . .
Ackerman to propose 'New Paradigm for Campaign Finance'
Rescheduled conference to explore ethnic cleansing in America and Europe
Art of the Restoration
Concert to feature 18th-century works and instrument
Playwright Margolin to discuss 'Theater of Desire' at master's tea
A day to remember
Yale faculty members celebrate new books
Yale aids holiday fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House
Yale Books in Brief
|Visiting on Campus|Calendar of Events|In the News|Bulletin Board
Yale Scoreboard|Classified Ads|Search Archives|Deadlines
Bulletin Staff|Public Affairs Home|News Releases|
E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page