Two ISU professors join elite ranks of Physical Society fellows
March 4, 2004
Two ISU physics professors have achieved the distinction of being inducted as fellows into the American Physical Society, an honor reserved for only one-half of 1 percent of the society’s approximately 43,000 members.
John Hill and Michael Tringides, professors of physics and astronomy, were nominated and elected by their peers to receive the award. This year, there were only 215 people recognized as fellows.
The American Physical Society Fellowship program recognizes members who advanced knowledge through research and publication or contributed to the field of physics.
Hill was elected because of several research projects. He discovered new varieties of radioactive nuclei of various elements, and measured the electromagnetic exchange of particles in collisions of high-energy-heavy nuclei moving almost at the speed of light. He also led the development of trigger systems for experiments at the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron and Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider accelerators which are machines that collide heavy ions.
“I was just delighted. Basically, what this award says is you’ve done at least one thing to further the expansion of the field. Personally, it was a very nice thing,” Hill said.
Tringides was elected because his research led to a better understanding of surface diffusion, which is how atoms move and gather on surfaces.
He and his team also discovered that, when lead atoms are deposited on silicon, they form islands of exactly the same 7-layer height. This was never observed before and showed atoms can produce regular structures despite their random movements on the surface.
“Senior people in the field have to write letters [to the American Physical Society] explaining your work,” Tringides said. “These people were excited with my work. That was the most satisfying thing for me.”
Eli Rosenberg, chairman of physics and astronomy, said both Hill and Tringides were selected as fellows for their contributions to scholarship. He said Hill and Tringides are joining 11 other faculty members in the physics department who have earned the distinction.
Rosenberg said this award will bring more national attention to the program at Iowa State and to Hill and Tringides.
James Vary, professor of physics and astronomy, has worked with Hill in the past.
“[Hill] has a long and distinguished career in physics,” Vary said. “This is a very high honor for him personally and for the university.”
Michael Yakes, graduate student in physics and astronomy, who has worked with Tringides since August of 2002, said Tringides has vast knowledge of the field.
“He’s very nice to work for,” Yakes said. “He’s probably one of the nicest people I’ve ever met, and he always has an answer to my questions and an idea of what step to take next.”
Hill and Tringides said although the reward was exciting and welcome, it was not the best part of working in physics.
Tringides said the work he is doing is what is important, not the award. Hill agreed the most rewarding part of his work was the thrill of discovery.
“The reward is to find something no one else has ever found,” Tringides said. “The fellowship is only a fraction of the excitement.”