Biography · American physicist

2 min read · 434 words

Frederick Reines

1918 · 1998

Years lived
80
Photos
25
Frederick Reines portrait

Born

March 16, 1918

Paterson, United States

Died

August 26, 1998

Orange, United States

Known for

American physicist

Frederick Reines (1918–1998) was United States best known for American physicist.

Frederick Reines (March 16, 1918 – August 26, 1998) was an American physicist from Paterson, United States. He received the 1995 Nobel Prize in Physics for his co-detection of the neutrino with Clyde Cowan. His work significantly advanced the understanding of elementary particles, leaving a lasting scientific legacy.

A life in moments

The moments that shaped a life

Written in English

Chapter

Life chapters

Chapter 1 · 1918· Chapter 1 of 6

Early Life and Origins

Frederick Reines was born on March 16, 1918, in Paterson, United States, a vibrant city that would form the backdrop of his early years. His roots in the United States would see him grow into a distinguished scientist, contributing significantly to the nation's scientific prestige. Though specific details of his upbringing are not provided, his eventual career path highlights a dedication to intellectual pursuit and scientific inquiry.

Chapter 2· Chapter 2 of 6

Early Career and Pursuit of Physics

Reines embarked on a career in physics, a field where he would eventually make monumental discoveries. He distinguished himself not only as a physicist but also as a university teacher, sharing his knowledge and inspiring future generations. His early professional years laid the essential groundwork for the ambitious and complex experiments that would define his legacy.

Chapter 3· Chapter 3 of 6

The Quest for the Neutrino

A defining chapter in Frederick Reines' career was his relentless quest for the neutrino, an elementary particle theorized but not directly observed for many years. Working alongside Clyde Cowan, Reines designed and executed a landmark neutrino experiment. This challenging scientific endeavor culminated in the successful co-detection of the neutrino, a triumph that confirmed fundamental theories in physics.

Chapter 4 · 1995· Chapter 4 of 6

Nobel Recognition and Further Investigations

For his extraordinary work, Frederick Reines was awarded the 1995 Nobel Prize in Physics, specifically for the detection of the neutrino. This prestigious award recognized decades of dedicated research and experimental ingenuity. It is often noted that Reines may be the only scientist in history "so intimately associated with the discovery of an elementary particle and the subsequent thorough investigation of its fundamental properties."

Chapter 5 · 2003· Chapter 5 of 6

A Lasting Academic Contribution

Frederick Reines' scientific influence extended through a substantial body of academic work, marked by an impressive h-index of 41 and 226 published papers. His commitment to research is evident in highly cited works like "The Super-Kamiokande detector," published in 2003 with 528 citations, and "Search for nucleon decay using the detector," from 1999, which garnered 51 citations. Even later in his career, his reflections provided valuable historical context, as seen in "Reminiscences: The early days of experimental neutrino physics" (2008, 3 citations) and "IMB Detector‐The first 30 Days" (2008, 1 citations).

Chapter 6 · 1998· Chapter 6 of 6

Legacy and Enduring Influence

Frederick Reines passed away on August 26, 1998, in Orange, United States, but his scientific legacy continues to resonate deeply within the physics community. His definitive co-detection of the neutrino provided crucial experimental validation for theoretical predictions, fundamentally reshaping our understanding of the universe's most basic constituents. His unique position in science, having both discovered and extensively explored an elementary particle, ensures his enduring place in the annals of scientific discovery.

FAQ

Frequently asked

  • When did Frederick Reines die?

    Frederick Reines died on August 26, 1998 in Orange, United States, at the age of 80.

  • Where was Frederick Reines born?

    Frederick Reines was born in Paterson, United States on March 16, 1918.

  • What is Frederick Reines best known for?

    Frederick Reines is best known for American physicist.

  • How old was Frederick Reines when they died?

    Frederick Reines was 80 years old at the time of death.

  • What nationality was Frederick Reines?

    Frederick Reines was from United States.

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