This historical survey describes the contributions made to the field of physics by the National Bureau of Standards since its inception in 1901. Four broad areas are emphasized: nuclear physics, thermal physics (including cryogenics), spectroscopy and fundamental constants. (BT)

Discusses four periods of development in American physics during the last two hundred years and the discoveries and research of both Benjamin Franklin and Henry Rowland. (MLH)

Gives a short biography of James E. Keeler, and describes some of his outstanding discoveries, and his pioneering work in observational research where he applied physical methods to the analysis of planets, stars and nebulae. (GA)

Describes in detail the experimental procedures followed by Davison and Germer in 1927 in their discovery of electron diffraction. (SL)

Discusses the circumstances and the immediate impact of the events and discoveries in the field of nuclear physics in 1932. Many of the events are described in samples of correspondence between the researchers in the field. (TS)

Presents 11 responses received from U.S. scientists who have won Nobel Prizes (physics or physics-related work) indicating what books, discoveries, people, or issues of the last 50 years have most decisively influenced them. (Author/JN)

Reveals the self-imposed censorship practiced by western scientists to keep sensitive information concerning nuclear fusion from Nazi Germany before and during World War II. (CP)

Discusses major developments in radioastronomy since 1945. Topics include proposed facilities, very-long-baseline interferometric array, millimeter-wave telescope, submillimeter-wave telescope, and funding for radioastronomy facilities and projects. (JN)

Discusses the origin of de Broglie's concept and its influences on his contemporaries, notably on Einstein, Schrodinger, Elsasser, Davisson, and Thomson. Indicates that the theory served not only as the starting point of quantum mechanics, but also opened new experimental possibilities. Historical inaccuracies are corrected with new material…

Traces the development of quantum field theory over the last 50 years beginning with the research of Paul Dirac. Includes past and current research endeavors of various scientists. (JN)

Focuses on past achievements of physicists beginning with the discovery of gaseous nebulae and listing seven commonly found characteristics of this and other observational discoveries which can foster further discovery. Suggests how theory is related to observation and where physicists make their greatest contributions to astronomy. (Author/JN)

In a first-hand description of accelerator experiments on nuclei of mass three, the ideas that led to the development of acceleration mass spectrometry are traced. (Author)

In the 1930s, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar found a fundamental parameter that determines the density of stars. Although recognized as a major discovery, it was generally unaccepted by astronomers because the work was ridiculed by a preeminent astronomer (Arthur Eddington). The controversy and current understanding of stellar evolution are discussed.…

Reviews the accomplishments in physics previous to 1931 and compares them to accomplishments during the past 50 years. (JN)