William Happer
Emeritus Professor
Physics
Princeton University
United States of America
Biography
William (Will) Happer, the Cyrus Fogg Bracket Professor of Physics and one of the pioneers in the field of optically polarized atoms, is transferring to emeritus status at the end of this academic year. Will is known for developing rigorous theories to analyze his elegant atomic physics experiments as well as for extensive service to Princeton and the U.S. government. His research has initiated several vibrant fields outside of atomic physics. Will was born in Vellore, India, on July 27, 1939. He and his mother, Gladys Morgan Happer, a medical missionary, soon came back to the United States while his father, Colonel William Happer, served with the Indian Army in the Middle East and North Africa during World War II. Will was on one of the few ships from India to the United States that was not sunk by U-boats. Near the end of the war, he lived in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where his mother served as the first medical doctor at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The lab was started as a part of the Manhattan Project. The excitement of this childhood experience probably led to Will’s career in physics.
Research Interest
Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
Publications
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Singer SF, Lewis H, Happer W, Gould L, Cohen R, Austin RH., 2009, Petitioning for a revised statement on climate change, J. Nature, 460, 457
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McGuyer BH, Jau YY, Happer W., 2009, Simple method of light-shift suppression in optical pumping systems, J.Applied Physics Letters, 94
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Ma J, Kishinevski A, Jau YY, Reuter C, Happer W., 2009, Modification of glass cell walls by rubidium vapor, J. Physical Review a - Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics, 79
