Rubby Sherr[a](September 14, 1913 – July 8, 2013)[1]was an Americannuclear physicistwho co-invented a key component of the firstnuclear weaponwhile participating in theManhattan Projectduring theSecond World War.His academic career spanned nearly eight decades, including almost 40 years working atPrinceton University.[1]
Rubby Sherr | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 14, 1913 |
| Died | July 8, 2013 (aged 99) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | New York University Princeton University |
| Known for | Contribution to theManhattan Project,experimental proof ofFermi's interaction[1] |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Nuclear physics |
| Doctoral advisor | Henry DeWolf Smyth |
Early life and education
editSherr was born toLithuanian Jewishimmigrants inLong Branch,New Jersey,in 1913.[1][2]After graduating fromLakewood High School,[3]he attendedNew York Universityat his mother's behest, gaining abachelor's degreein physics in 1934.[1]He then went to study atPrinceton University,where he obtained a doctorate in physics in 1938.[1]
Manhattan Project
editIn 1942, Sherr joined theMITRadiation Laboratory,where he worked to develop new airborneradarsystems.[3]In 1944, he became involved with theManhattan Project,which was tasked with creating the firstnuclear weapon.[2]Together withKlaus Fuchs,Sherr developed a key component of the bomb's triggering mechanism, the Fuchs–Sherrpolonium-berylliummodulated neutron initiator.[3][4]On July 16, 1945, Sherr was present at theTrinity nuclear testinNew Mexico.[3]He later recalled thinking during the test, "'This is the greatest scientific experiment of all time' – it was certainly the biggest. Then the horror sank in that the thing had actually worked, followed by relief thatthe atmosphere hadn't ignited,as some had feared it would. "[3]
Academic career
editSherr became an assistant professor of physics at Princeton University in 1946, an associate professor in 1949, and a full professor in 1955.[3]In 1953, he provided experimental evidence ofFermi's interaction,a theoretical explanation for thebeta decayphenomenon.[1]Between 1955 and 1971, he headed anAtomic Energy Commission-contracted nuclear research project, and oversaw the development of Princeton's AVFcyclotronin 1970.[3]Sherr retired from Princeton in 1982, but remained active in the research community for the rest of his life.[1][2]He published over 100 articles inscientific journalsduring his career.[3]
Personal life
editSherr was married to Rita "Pat" Sherr, with whom he had two daughters. In 1998, after his wife's death, he moved to aretirement communityinHaverford, Pennsylvania,where he lived until his death.[3]In his spare time, Sherr was an avidfly fisherman,birdwatcher,andfolk musicenthusiast who counted the musicologistAlan Lomaxamong his friends.[1][3]He died at the age of 99 on July 8, 2013.[3]He was survived by his daughters and a granddaughter.[3]
Footnotes
edit- ^Pronounced "Ruby".
References
edit- ^abcdefghi"Rubby Sherr, tireless Princeton professor and an architect of the Atomic Age, dies at 99".Princeton University.July 18, 2013.RetrievedJuly 23,2013.
- ^abc"Rubby Sherr".Town Topics.July 17, 2013.RetrievedJuly 23,2013.
- ^abcdefghijkl"Dr. Rubby Sherr, 99; helped develop atomic bomb".Philly.July 21, 2013.RetrievedJuly 23,2013.
- ^"Obituary: Rubby Sherr / Helped develop, test first atomic bomb".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.July 27, 2013.RetrievedAugust 17,2015.