APS News, March 2018, Vol. 27, No. 3

March 2018 • Vol. 27, No. 3

A PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY New Members of the PhysTEC 5+ Club APS.ORG/APSNEWS Page 3

2018 APS April Meeting: “Hello, Columbus” Physical Review B: Condensed Attendees in fields from Matter, Then and Now “Quarks to the Cosmos,” including particle physics, nuclear physics, astrophysics, and gravitation, Getty Images will gather in Columbus, Ohio, April 14–17, at the Columbus Convention Center for the 2018 APS April Meeting. The meeting theme this year is “A Feynman Century,” marking the 100th By Sarma Kancharla and Laurens lished by APS offers a chance to anniversary of the Nobel-winning Molenkamp look back at some of the landmark physicist’s birth with a Kavli The late Peter Adams, found- publications that have led to PRB Foundation Plenary Session and ing editor of Physical Review B becoming not only the largest an invited session on his legacy. (PRB), impishly used to say that journal in all of physics but also a venue for excellence. The Kavli session will be held the journal was created in 1970 on Saturday, April 14 (8:30 a.m.) because The Physical Review and will feature a presentation by had reached its binding limit. Joan Feynman (Jet Propulsion Lab, Forum on the History of Physics Professional Skills Development Apocryphal as that sounds, the retired) on life with her brother invited session on Monday, April Workshop for Women on persua- birth of PRB couldn't have hap- Richard and her concerns about cli- 16 (room B130) at 1:30 p.m., with sive communication, negotiation, mate change. Christopher Monroe Paul Halperin (University of the and leadership (Friday, April 13, pened sooner because solid state (University of Maryland and IonQ) Sciences), John Preskill (California 8 a.m.–4 p.m.). The second is a physics, the core charge of the will discuss Richard Feynman’s Institute of Technology), and Professional Skills Seminar specif- journal, would soon morph into involvement in the origins of quan- Virginia Trimble (University of ically for undergraduate and grad- the broader arena of condensed tum computing. Roxanne Springer California at Irvine). uate women in physics (Sunday, matter physics (CMP) and then There is no better place to start (Duke University) will talk about Two skill-building events for April 15 4-6 p.m.). The seminar materials physics. than the Nobel Prize–winning pair Feynman’s contributions to quan- women will take place at the will focus on professional skills The 125th anniversary of the of papers in 1971 by Wilson which tum field theory. Discussions about meeting. The first, for postdocs founding of The Physical Review Feynman will continue at an APS and early career researchers, is a MEETING continued on page 6 and the family of journals pub- PRB continued on page 4

APS Strategic Planning: Get Involved! Staying on Pointe: Physicist Twirls Her Way to Successful Ballet Career By Alaina G. Levine APS leadership is developing a new Strategic Plan for the Society and member input is vital for the success of Merritt Moore’s scientific resume is impressive: She recently this effort. Please attend one of the Town Hall meetings received her Ph.D. in quantum and submit comments via the website. physics from the University of Town Hall: 2018 APS March Meeting in Los Angeles, Oxford, and she graduated with her Thursday, March 8, 1:00-2:30 bachelor’s in physics from Harvard p.m., in room 305 of the Los with honors. Angeles Convention Center. But there is much more—she’s been a dancer since she was 13 Town Hall: 2018 APS April years old. Moore is an interna- Meeting in Columbus, Ohio, tionally known ballerina, and has Monday, April 16, 3:30-5:00 danced professionally with compa- p.m., in room B-130 of the Co- nies all over the world, including lumbus Convention Center. the Zürich Ballet Company, Boston Ballet, English National Ballet, Strategic planning will also be on the agenda of the an- and London Contemporary Ballet Theatre. She has performed at a nual APS Business Meeting in Columbus: Friday, April special exhibition at the Victoria Physicist Merritt Moore combines a career in science and acclaim as a performing artist. 13, 4:00-5:00 p.m. in room A-216 of the Columbus Con- & Albert Museum in which she vention Center. danced with robots, at a virtual intensely pursued dance, but as to be strong’.” It changed my reality and dance event at the she advanced she began to grow whole outlook.” And it reignited Please visit go.aps.org/strategicplan to learn more Barbican Centre in London, and tired of it. In fact, when she had Moore’s dancing fever. Pretty about the planning process and to upload comments. at the Imagine Science Film festi- the chance to study abroad in Italy soon, she traveled every weekend val, in which she collaborated with as a 15-year-old, she specifically from Viterbo, the little town she filmmakers to visualize scientific looked for a hamlet to live in that was studying in, to Rome, where principles through art. did not offer any dance classes. the teacher was based, where she A certified science junkie, But a chance encounter sent her would train by day, and sleep on Moore began her love affair with whirling back to ballet. her kitchen floor. The lessons were mathematics as a kid, and she One day in Italy Moore found so magnetic that even when Moore took her first physics class in high herself in a “dingy” gym and saw returned home, she continued train- school. “I knew I was going to a ballet class being taught with a ing with this teacher for six years, love it,” she says. “Then the more very different approach than she heading to Rome every chance she I learned about quantum mechanics was used to. “Many teachers want could get. and … new quantum technologies, you to look identical to the girl to “It’s different learning from the I was hooked.” So physics seemed your left and right, and there’s a top of the top. She was a prima bal- the logical career choice. perfect body type that everyone lerina,” adds Moore. “She would But first she had to balance is striving for, but this instruc- say if you want to be a ballet that with her love of ballet. In her tor … was like ‘no, be you, be dancer you can’t be a ballet dancer hometown of Los Angeles, she unique, and that will allow you BALLERINA continued on page 7 2 • March 2018

Spotlight on Development This Month in Physics History

The Leo P. Kadanoff Prize March 22, 1895: Screening of the Lumière Brothers’ First Film APS is pleased to announce the establishment of the Leo P. illions flock to movie theaters every week- graph. Antoine snagged a sample of film from one Kadanoff Prize to honor the mem- Mend to view the latest Hollywood block- of the exhibitors there to show his sons. He thought ory and celebrate the legacy of one busters, and the multimillion-dollar film industry they could develop a better, cheaper alternative to of the giants in the field of statisti- dominates popular culture. Among the early pio- the kinetoscope and kinetograph, combining the cal and nonlinear physics. We have neers who made this revolution possible were viewing, developing, and recording functions into launched an effort to endow this two French brothers: Auguste and Louis Lumière. one device. Instead of the single-viewer kineto- Prize, and invite you to consider Auguste was the elder, born in 1862, while scope, he envisioned projecting films onto a large supporting it. Louis was born two years later. Their father, screen so that many people could watch all at once. The Kadanoff Prize was pro- Antoine, started out as a portrait painter before The brothers began experimenting at once, posed by the APS Topical Group on switching to photography, setting up his own small and by the following year they invented the Statistical and Nonlinear Physics business making photographic plates in Lyons. Cinematographe, which weighed just 11 pounds (GSNP) to recognize a scientist or Leo Kadanoff Both sons completed technical school, with a solid and could be operated with a simple hand crank scientists whose work (theoretical, Gifts of any amount will be grasp of organic chemistry, rather than relying on elec- experimental or computational) has greatly appreciated and recog- although Louis preferred trical power. Louis drew opened up new vistas for statistical nized on the Kadanoff website. physics and Auguste gravi- inspiration one sleepless and/or nonlinear physics. Moreover, gifts of $1,000 or more tated towards biochemistry night from how a sew- APS has launched a $300,000 will help us reach our goal for and medicine. They went to ing machine operates, and endowment campaign to allow the opening up the one-year nomina- work for their father. After invented a claw mechanism experimenting with his to pull the film through Kadanoff Prize to be given in per- tion process on-time and ensure wikimedia commons petuity. We are enormously grateful that the first Kadanoff Prize will father’s equipment, Louis in the camera. In contrast to to family members, friends, and be awarded at the 2019 APS March particular became fascinated the sprocket system used colleagues of Leo Kadanoff who Meeting in Boston. with the underlying science. by Edison, the Lumières’ have already raised commitments For more information on ways At just 17, he invented a device formed the basis totaling over $100,000 toward to make a gift in support of the new “dry plate” process for of subsequent early cin- the endowment goal, and are cur- Leo P. Kadanoff Prize, please visit developing film. ema cameras. However, it rently seeking the balance—with a the Leo P. Kadanoff campaign At the time, photographic recorded and projected at projected completion in 2019. We website aps.org/about/support/ plates used wet emulsions much slower speeds than greatly appreciate the participation campaigns/kadanoff/ or contact, that required a darkroom Edison’s Kinetoscope (16 of members across a broad sector Irene I. Lukoff, APS Director of during preparation and frames per second com- of APS including the Leadership Development, at [email protected] immediately after exposure Auguste and Louis Lumière pared to 48 frames per of GSNP. or 301-209-3224. of the plate. A dry plate second). process existed, but the The brothers used Lumières’ “blue plate” their invention to shoot improved on that sig- footage of workers nificantly, reducing the leaving their factory need for a darkroom. at the end of the day, Under the two broth- and presented the short

ers, business boomed, wikimedia commons film in Paris on March and the family company 22, 1895. Over the next became the biggest several months, they manufacturer of photo- shot several more one- graphic plates in Europe minute films and gave by the 1890s, producing a second demonstration around 15 million plates of the Cinématographe per year. That wealth to the French freed up the brothers to A frame from one of the brothers' debut films "Work- Photographic Congress experiment with other ers Leaving the Lumière Factory" in Lyon that June. Their forms of photography. father Antoine orga- Photography was still in its infancy, but some nized a public screening several months later at investigators were already experimenting with the Grand Café on the Boulevard des Capucines. making the images move, including famed pho- Among those in the audience: illusionist and future tographer Eadweard Muybridge, who pioneered pioneering director Georges Méliès, who made a process in which a series of pictures would be one of the first science-fiction films (1902’sA Trip taken of a subject in motion and then shown in to the Moon). While the brothers were initially rapid sequence. His Zoopraxiscope (inspired by reluctant to hold a public screening, feeling it was a children’s toy known as a zoetrope) projected premature, Louis later observed that on that day images from painted rotating glass disks, and was “was really born the expression, ‘I have been to arguably the first film projector. a movie.’” In the winter of 1894 Antoine, then in Paris, This wasn’t necessarily the first public screen- witnessed an exhibition of Thomas Edison’s ing, since another pair of brothers in New York, kinetoscope, which showed short moving films produced by a companion invention, the kineto- FILMS continued on page 3

Series II, Vol. 27, No. 3 March 2018 APS COUNCIL OF REPRESENTATIVES 2018 General Councilors on International Physics), Pushpa Bhat* (Forum on © 2018 American Physical Society Gail McLaughlin*, Bonnie Fleming, Andrea Liu*, Viv- Physics and Society), Beverly Berger* (Gravitational President ian Incera Physics), Nicholas Bigelow* (Laser Science), Samuel Roger W. Falcone*, University of California, Berkeley/ Bader (Materials), Akif “Baha” Balantekin (Nuclear Editor...... David Voss LBNL International Councilors Physics), P. Michael Tuts (Particles & Fields), Thomas Eliezer Rabinovici, Johanna Stachel, Marta Losada*, Roser (Physics of Beams), Cary Forest (Plasma Phys- Contributing Correspondent ...... Alaina G. Levine President-Elect Ahmadou Wagué ics), Murugappan Muthukumar (Polymer Physics), Design and Production...... Nancy Bennett-Karasik David J. Gross*, KITP, University of California, Santa Philip Johnson (Mid-Atlantic Section), Carlos Wexler Barbara Chair, Nominating Committee (Prairie Section) Copyeditor and Proofreader...... Edward Lee David Meyerhofer, Los Alamos National Laboratory Vice President Senior Management Team Philip H. Bucksbaum*, Stanford University, SLAC Chair, Panel on Public Affairs Mark Doyle, Chief Information Officer; Jane Hopkins Michael Marder, University of Texas, Austin Gould, Chief Financial Officer; Kate P. Kirby, Chief APS News (ISSN: 1058-8132) is published monthly, Subscriptions: APS News is an on-membership publica- Past-President Executive Officer; Matthew M. Salter, Publisher; Fran- except for a combined August-September issue, 11 times tion delivered by Periodical Mail Postage Paid at Col- Laura H. Greene*, Florida State University, Magnet Editor in Chief cis Slakey, Chief Government Affairs Officer;James W. per year, by the American Physical Society, One Physics lege Park, MD and at additional mailing offices. Laboratory Michael Thoennessen, Michigan State University (on Taylor, Deputy Executive Officer and Chief Operating Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740-3844, (301) 209-3200. leave) Officer; Michael Thoennessen, Editor in Chief It contains news of the Society and of its Divisions, Topi- For address changes, please send both the old and new Chief Executive Officer cal Groups, Sections, and Forums; advance information addresses, and, if possible, include a mailing label from Kate P. Kirby, Harvard Smithsonian (retired) Division, Forum, and Section Councilors * Voting Members of the APS Board of Directors on meetings of the Society; and reports to the Society a recent issue. Changes can be emailed to membership@ Michael Coleman Miller (Astrophysics), Timothy by its committees and task forces, as well as opinions. aps.org. Postmaster: Send address changes to APS Speaker of the Council Gay* (Atomic, Molecular & Optical Physics), William News, Membership Department, American Physical Timothy Gay*, University of Nebraska Bialek (Biological Physics), Robert Continetti (Chemi- Letters to the editor are welcomed from the member- Society, One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740- cal Physics), John Bradley Marston* (Condensed ship. Letters must be signed and should include an ad- 3844. Treasurer Matter Physics), Giulia Galli (Computational Phys- dress and daytime telephone number. APS reserves the James Hollenhorst*, Agilent Technologies ics), Ann Karagozian (Fluid Dynamics), Noah Finkel- right to select and to edit for length and clarity. All cor- stein (Forum on Education), Julia Gonski, (Forum on respondence regarding APS News should be directed to: Coden: ANWSEN ISSN: 1058-8132 Corporate Secretary Graduate Student Affairs), Virginia Trimble (Forum Editor, APS News, One Physics Ellipse, College Park, Ken Cole, APS on History of Physics), John Rumble* (Forum on In- MD 20740-3844, Email: [email protected]. dustrial and Applied Physics), Emanuela Barzi (Forum March 2018 • 3

FILMS continued from page 2 Grey and Otway Latham, showed raphy: the Lumière Autochrome, films of boxing matches for pay- introduced in 1907. James Clerk News from the APS Office of Government ing audiences beginning in May Maxwell used various colored fil- of 1895. (Their father, Woodville, ters to project color images of his Affairs co-invented the Latham loop, subjects, but printed images (pho- APS Unit Leaders Kick-Off APS 2018 Advocacy With More Than 90 Meetings on Capitol Hill which enabled continuous shoot- tographs) were not possible until ing and projecting of much lon- Louis Ducos du Hauron figured By Tawanda W. Johnson, APS Press ger films.) The following year, out how to superimpose positive Secretary Louis and Auguste opened sev- and negative images shot through Forty-eight volunteers repre- Greg Mack eral Cinematographe theaters in colored filters. But it was a com- senting APS Unit leadership took London, Brussels, Belgium, and plicated and time-consuming pro- to Capitol Hill on February 1 to New York, where they screened cess. The Autochrome improved make the case for critical science more than 40 short films they pro- on that early dry plate process, policy issues.The volunteers rep- duced that year, mostly scenes and became the preferred method resented 35 units and participated from French daily life. The most for color photography for the next famous featured a train rushing in 93 meetings, representing 25 30 years. states and one territory during the towards the audience, sometimes Louis went on to direct thou- causing panic and the occasional Society’s Congressional Visits Day sands of reels of film for the (CVD), the first of 2018. fainting spell. Cinetomatographe and a technique “There was an almost univer- At first the public didn’t have for stereoscopic photography in sally positive reception from staff- much interest in these shows, 1935 capable of creating holo- ers in the Illinois offices we visited. which offered 10 short films in 15 gram-like images. Auguste focused Even in the most difficult [meet- minutes for one franc (in Paris). on his interest in biochemistry ings], we were able to find some But word quickly spread, and soon and medicine, researching can- common ground and have a mean- people were lining up to marvel cer and tuberculosis, among other ingful discussion,” said Marion at the moving pictures. Cinema diseases, and publishing a book, White, a Chicago-area physicist Kristan Corwin advocated for science in a recent visit to the office of U.S. would go on to transform popu- Life, Illness, and Death: Colloidal and secretary/treasurer for the APS Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas. lar entertainment, but the Lumière Phenomena, in 1928. He died in Division of Physics of Beams. brothers—having helped spark the of how academic research benefits To ensure volunteers were ade- 1954 at home in Lyons, at the age White, who described her revolution—soon lost interest in and shapes our society at large.” quately prepared for the meetings, of 91—six years after the passing experience as “amazing” and making moving films. A failed Corwin said she had a “wonder- Mack first showed a video, and of his younger brother Louis. “life-changing,” said she decided attempt to sell equipment and film ful” experience during the CVD. then organized small-group web to participate in CVD because the in New York may have contributed Further Reading: “Greg Mack [manager of grassroots videoconferences and an in-person United States has “fallen behind to this, as Edison’s format soon Lavedrine B. and Gandolfo J.-P. 2013. advocacy] and the APS as a whole training session. APS OGA also much of the rest of the developed dominated the fledgling industry The Lumière Autochrome: History, displayed a deep knowledge of the supplied them with materials and Technology, and Preservation. Los An- world in science, technology, and over their own. By 1896, the origi- big issues, and also an understand- scheduled their meetings. geles. Getty Publications. education.” nal Cinematographe had been sup- ing of what we might be able to “We were strategic in our Lumière L., ed. 1967. The Lumière She further explained, “The planted by the Lumière’s Model B, ask for to advance the agenda of approach to the meetings and Cinematogrpahy. A Technological His- threats to our security from cli- which projected films only in the science funding immediately, with wanted the APS members to be tory of Motion Pictures and Television. mate change, disease, cyber Edison format. an eye toward the long run.” as prepared and comfortable as University of California Press. attacks, [and] many others appear In 1905, the brothers decided She added, “I found the staffers possible,” he said. “In addition to Macgowan K. 1965. Behind the to be ignored at the highest levels. were really interested in how the to focus instead on developing a the online preparation, during the Screen: The History and Techniques of I decided if I could contribute to larger issues affect their universities in-person session we held a mock practical process for color photog- the Motion Picture. Delacorte Press. anything positive, I should try.” and districts back home, and what meeting, and the volunteers had Kristan Corwin, chair-elect of they can do to help.” opportunities to brainstorm about the APS Division of Laser Sciences During their meetings with the most crucial part of their meet- and associate dean for research at Congress, APS members addressed ings: telling their personal stories Kansas State University, expressed the following issues: research fund- and connecting the issues to their a similar concern about the coun- ing and infrastructure, STEM educa- states and districts.” try’s declining role as a global tion, H-1B visas, and climate change. Mack added, “I feel everyone leader. The APS Office of Government had a good handle on the issues “I felt there has never been a Affairs (APS OGA) identified these and was equipped with pertinent more urgent need for scientists to issues after surveying members information and materials to have reach out to Congress and ask for during various meetings held last constructive conversations.” its help to preserve our nation’s year. Volunteers were asked to advo- “We’re off to a good start leadership position in science and cate for research and infrastructure with our first CVD of 2018,” said PhysTEC recognizes the following institutions technology. Furthermore, I felt funding and to choose among the Francis Slakey, chief government for graduating 5 or more well-prepared empowered by my experience as an other issues based on their particular associate dean with a bigger view S continued on page 6 physics teachers in the past academic year. interests. UNIT LEADER They are national leaders in addressing the severe nationwide shortage of secondary physics teachers. PhysTEC Announces New Members of The 5+ Club The Physics Teacher Education PhysTEC first awarded The 5+ University (6), Stony Brook Coalition (PhysTEC) has Club honors to six institutions dur- University (6), The University of The 5+ Club announced the newest members ing the 2011-2012 academic year. Texas at Austin (6), City College of “The 5+ Club”—institutions This year’s awardees include nine of New York (5), Georgia State 2016-2017 that graduated 5 or more well-pre- universities that graduated a total University (5), Illinois State pared high school physics teach- of 53 highly qualified teachers for University (5), University of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (8) ers. PhysTEC is a project of APS the 2016–2017 academic year. To Wisconsin – River Falls (5). Brigham Young University (7) and the American Association of put this number in perspective, For every complete application Physics Teachers (AAPT) to Rowan University (6) that documents five or more phys- address the severe national shortage ics teacher graduates in a single Stony Brook University (6) of K-12 physics teachers. Every academic year, the PhysTEC proj- year the coalition recognizes those University of Texas at Austin (6) ect will institutions that were especially • send a letter of commendation City College of New York (5) high performers. cosigned by APS and AAPT Few colleges and universities Georgia State (5) presidents to the university Illinois State University (5) graduate more than two physics teachers each year, and most com- president (and cc’d to other University of Wisconsin–River Falls (5) monly that number is zero. Since relevant administrators) 2001, PhysTEC has funded uni- if U.S. colleges and universities • award a certificate, presented versities to transform their physics collectively graduated about 800 at the PhysTEC conference PhysTEC is led by the American Physical Society (APS) and teacher education programs into new physics teachers per year, the • publicize awardees to APS and the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT). national models. The project is national shortage would be largely AAPT members supported by the National Science addressed. • provide a press release on Foundation, and the APS 21st The new members of The 5+ the award. Century Campaign, and by direct Club (and numbers graduated) are For more information on and in-kind support from each of Rutgers University (8), Brigham PhysTEC and The 5+ Club, visit its partner institutions. Young University (7), Rowan phystec.org 4 • March 2018

Joseph Polchinski 1954-2018 PRB continued from page 1

Joseph Polchinski, a prominent the University of Texas at Austin laid the foundation of the renor- PRB’s criteria for publication have malization group theory of phase remained the same: papers should theoretical physicist and lead- in 1984 and moved to UCSB in UCSB ing researchers in string theory, 1992. He was a winner of the 2007 transitions. These papers not only present new and significant under- died on February 2 at age 63. He APS/AIP Dannie Heineman Prize revolutionized our understanding standing and be important to the was a professor of physics at the in Mathematical Physics and shared of scaling and critical phenomena, community in advancing physics. University of California Santa in the 2017 Breakthrough Prize in but soon provided a practical solu- The role of editors in managing Barbara (UCSB) and a Permanent Fundamental Physics, among sev- tion of the Kondo problem—the the review process has changed Member of the Kavli Institute of eral other awards. mysterious low-temperature rise in significantly in the last 10 years Theoretical Physics. Polchinski was In a 1995 paper in Physical resistivity of a metal with magnetic to become more proactive. Editors a Fellow of the APS and a member Review Letters, Polchinski extended impurities. now spend more time per paper of the U.S. National Academy of string theory—the theoretical New tools also yielded new and have access to more informa- Sciences. framework that casts one-dimen- insights: The invention of the tion to make decisions. For some “His research has had a pro- sional strings rather than point par- Joseph Polchinski scanning tunneling microscope years now, they have been reject- in 1981 showed us surfaces at the ing about a quarter of submissions found and lasting impact on our ticles as the fundamental objects 2017 he posted a memoir on the atomic scale and was a harbinger without external review, based on understanding of the universe,” said of nature—to higher dimensional arXiv in which he wrote “It is UCSB Chancellor Henry Yang in entities called “D-branes.” And in interesting to go through one’s life of the nanophysics revolution of the quality of the manuscripts and a note to the campus community. 1998 he literally wrote the textbook like this. It has taken a rather lin- quantum dots, clusters, fullerenes, the subject matter fit for the jour- “Throughout his career, he demon- on string theory (in two volumes). ear path, from the How and Why and nanowires that was to come. nal. This serves both to speed up strated tremendous creativity and More recently, Polchinski had Wonder Books to today, with few In a pair of highly cited papers the decision-making process and insight not only in discovering new been studying black holes and in deviations. I have not achieved that appeared in Physical Review to make more efficient use of ref- scientific truths, but also in com- 2012 co-authored a paper show- my early science fiction goals, nor Letters and PRB in the early 1980s, eree resources. Editors also often municating these complex ideas in ing that quantum entanglement of explained why there is something Tersoff and Hamann presented the consult our large Editorial Board, a highly accessible and thought- particles required the existence of rather than nothing, but I have had first systematic theoretical study our “eyes and ears” in the com- provoking way.” a hot “firewall” at the event hori- an impact on the most fundamental of scanning tunneling microscopy. munity, for advice. This helps us Polchinski received his bach- zon. This effort to resolve the black questions of science.” The discovery of high-transi- make thoughtful, consistent, and elor’s degree in physics from the hole information paradox (which tion-temperature superconductiv- fair decisions, and helps authors California Institute of Technology concerns the fate of information Polchinski, J. “Dirichlet Branes and Ra- mond-Ramond Charges,” Phys. Rev. ity in layered cuprates in 1986 set publish the strongest most useful in 1975 and his Ph.D. from falling past the event horizon of a Lett. 75, 4724 (1995). off a frenzy of activity that has few papers possible. the University of California at black hole) generated considerable Polchinski, J. “Memories of a Theoretical parallels. Theorists responded with Since its founding, PRB has Berkeley in 1980. After postdoc- debate. Physicist,” arxiv.org/abs/1708.09093 new ideas and tools, and experi- grown fourfold. Most of our pub- toral work at SLAC and Harvard In 2015, Polchinski was diag- New York Times obituary: Joseph Pol- mental techniques—from spectros- lished content now originates University, he joined the faculty of nosed with brain cancer, and in chinski (February 7, 2018) copy to material synthesis—saw outside the U.S. (in 2017, authors tremendous improvements. One from 70+ countries published their of the most studied models for work in PRB). The PRB editorial superconductivity in the cuprates, team is equally international with 2018 Review of APS Honors Program Underway the t-J model, was introduced ties to 15 countries. Our referee By Mary Raucci, APS Honors The purpose of the review by Zhang and Rice in 1988 as a pool and Editorial Board are more Program Manager was outlined by Nick Bigelow, Rapid Communication in PRB. diverse than ever. 2018 chair of the APS Committee The quest to unravel the physics Given this growth, following The APS Honors program is C. Conway on Prizes and Awards. “The of the cuprates remains an open the literature in CMP outside of an important way that the physics Committee will be reviewing 73 and active one. one’s own subfield can be a chal- community recognizes achieve- active and new prizes and awards, Technological impact is a lenge. To make it easier, starting ment and excellence. APS is com- including evaluation of any finan- hallmark of many PRB papers. in 2008 the editors of PRB have mitted to continuous improvement cial gap in existing endowment Perhaps the fastest advance was selected a few papers every week and is now undertaking a review of funds. We will also try to assess the discovery of the giant mag- for their particular importance, the program’s policies and proce- the impact of supporting these APS netoresistance (GMR) effect in interest, or readability as Editors’ dures. This may impact how APS honors on development and admin- 1988 by Grünberg (and indepen- Suggestions. prizes, awards, and Fellowships are istrative staff,” said Bigelow. dently by Fert, published in PRL). In an era where the pressure handled in the future. With the continuing increase of GMR-based computer hard disk to publish in high-profile journals Mary Raucci In addition, as a follow-up to the requests for new prizes and awards, drives became the norm within a is higher than ever, the one thing 2016 APS Prizes and Awards Task by the selection committee mem- few years, dramatically increasing that has not changed at PRB over there are growing concerns about bers to review and choose deserv- Force Report, the APS Board and storage density and speed. the years is the core value of our donor fatigue, but more importantly ing recipients. We already ask a lot Council of Representatives have If there is one field that domi- mission: to publish solid science about the strain that the increased of our members.” requested that the Committee on nates the list of all time top-cited minus the hype, vetted in a thor- workload is putting on our volun- Committee members have Prizes and Awards conduct a review papers in PRB, it is that of density ough and professionally run peer teers and staff. “To ensure that each begun researching other scientific of existing prizes and awards. The functional approaches to compute review process. In this endeavor, honor receives an appropriate and societies to establish benchmarks scope will include a deeper look the electronic band structure of we would like to acknowledge the diverse pool of nominees takes a lot and will now start a review of the at the relevance, possible overlap, complex materials. Some of the tireless work of our many thou- of time and effort by our many APS individual honors. A preliminary financial concerns, and overhead most influential papers by Kresse, sands of referees, who are the real volunteers,” said Trish Lettieri, discussion regarding the scope of implications for APS honors at all APS Director of Membership. “It Parr, Perdew, Vanderbilt, and backbone of our journal. levels. also takes a lot of time and energy HONORS continued on page 7 Zunger, among others, were pub- In the last two decades, there lished in the 1980s and 1990s by has been an explosion of activ- PRB and have garnered tens of ity in CMP and PRB has thrived, thousands of citations. publishing papers on graphene Physics is Part of the “World view” of This Cybersecurity Expert PRB has published many influ- and other 2D materials, iron- By Katherine Kornei ential papers on topological insula- based superconductors, mul- tors. For example, Yoichi Ando’s tiferroics, frustrated magnets, Herbert Lin spends most of his encounter when learning physics. group in 2010 reported the syn- metamaterials and nanophotonics, time thinking about cybersecurity, “I wanted to understand better what thesis of a new bismuth-based 3D ultracold atoms in optical lattices, data breaches, and power grids, it meant to be a good teacher,” he topological insulator with the larg- quantum spin Hall effect, and all from a physics perspective. says. There are definite differences est surface to bulk conductance Majorana bound states, to cite a Lin, a senior research scholar and in how physicists and social scien- ratio. And in 2011, Savrasov and few examples. Machine learning, Hank J. Holland Fellow in Cyber tists tackle a challenge, however, colleagues presented the first pro- high-throughput computing, and Policy and Security at Stanford Lin notes. “[Physics is about] posal for the realization of a Weyl first-principles methods combined University, acknowledges he hasn’t stripping a problem down to its semimetal, a unique state of matter with many-body techniques are used graduate-level physics since essence,” he says. “That method that exhibits topological behavior poised to bring condensed mat- his qualifying exam in the 1970s. drives social scientists crazy—they in both bulk and surface. ter and materials physics into a “But it still affects everything about like to consider a problem in all of But what is the journal’s mis- new realm. sion now? PRB strives to attract With the trust and support of the way that I look at the world,” its complexity.” Herbert Lin he says. Lin even carries around Physics, psychology, econom- and publish high quality authori- the community, we are excited to his 40-year-old physics textbooks ics, and sociology collide at the hacker,” he says. These days, Lin tative papers that should stand see what this journey of scientific whenever he moves. “I should get intersection of public policy and spends his time thinking about how the test of time. PRB publishes discovery will bring in the decades rid of those books,” he says. “But I cybersecurity, where Lin has been to attribute breaches in cyberse- papers in two formats: Regular to come. can’t. It’s like cutting off an arm.” working in some form for the last curity, international diplomacy (“I Articles with no length limit, Sarma Kancharla is a PRB The physicist at heart is also 25 years. Lin’s interest in cyber- think a lot about North Korea,” he well suited for a thorough expo- Associate Editor and has been fascinated by psychology and security developed in high school. says), and what is an appropriate sition of the research, and Rapid working for PRB for 10 years. PRB sociology. Lin’s doctoral research “I was able to explore computer response to a cyber attack. “Mostly Communications, short letter-size Lead Editor Laurens Molenkamp at MIT focused on the psychologi- security, shall we say … and I we think about how people are papers for speedy publication of is Chair for Experimental Physics cal difficulties that undergraduates never abandoned the mindset of a EXPERT continued on page 6 particularly important results. at Universität Würzburg. March 2018 • 5

Education & Diversity Update 2018 APS Medal for Exceptional Achievement in Research Workshops at the 2018 APS April Meeting Undergraduate and graduate women in physics are welcome to attend a 2-hour seminar on Sunday, April 15 from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. The seminar, led by Evie Downie, professor of physics at Kyle Bergner George Washington University, will focus on professional skills that students can use to negotiate a position in academia, industry, or at a national lab; interact positively on teams and with a mentor or advisor; think tactically, articulate goals, enhance their personal presence; and develop alliances. Register at aps.org/meetings/ april/diversity.cfm by March 16. Women postdocs, faculty, and scientists are welcome to register for the Professional Skills Development Workshop for Women held on Friday, April 13 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The workshop will have two sessions running concurrently, led by Yvette Huet and Nancy Houfek, and is designed to provide knowledge on persua- sive communication skills, negotiation practices, and effective leadership tools. Travel funding is available. Register at aps.org/ meetings/april/diversity.cfm by March 9.

Special Commentary Being a Scientist in the American Economy: Kyle Bergner It’s Not What You Think By Joe Iadarola “You have a degree in what?” I get that question frequently because I work in the construction business, and no one expects that I have a bachelor’s in physics. As federal lawmakers iron out details of the fiscal year 2018 budget, they should keep in mind that science deserves strong support, since it trains people like me for so many different careers that propel the American economy. Myths abound when it comes to Joe Iadarola science and career options; let me wasn’t a temporary enthusiasm. I shatter four of them. didn’t look back on my life and The 2018 APS Medal for Exceptional Achievement in Research was awarded on February 1 to First, we’re not who you think say: “Whew, I’m glad I got that out Eugene Parker, professor emeritus at the University of Chicago, for his "many fundamental we are. The vast majority of us with of my system.” Instead, during high contributions to space physics, plasma physics, solar physics, and astrophysics during the bachelor’s degrees in physics don’t school, I honed my electrical skills past 60 plus years." (Top) The medal was presented to Parker by 2018 APS President Roger Falcone along with APS CEO Kate Kirby. (Bottom) Family members and colleagues joined work in universities—60 percent of while working for a master electri- in the celebration: from left to right, Eric Parker, Susan Kane-Parker, Niesje Parker, Eugene us work in the private sector. And cian in Silver Spring, Maryland. Parker (seated); Michael Turner, Rocky Kolb, and Young-Kee Kim (University of Chicago), that’s true of all science degree Later, at his urging, I took the exam and Timothy Gay (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, APS Speaker of the Council, and Univer- holders. We’re not in ivory towers to also become a master electri- sity of Chicago Ph.D. graduate). APS is accepting nominations for the 2019 APS Medal now at gated universities. Instead, we’re cian. My physics degree came in through May 1. in construction, agriculture, and handy while studying for that test. manufacturing. We develop and I recall having a good understand- build for this country. So, the next ing of calculations, including the time you see someone in a hard physical factors that play a part in hat, remember that person might them, as well as the importance of be a scientist. wire conductivity. Second, science degree holders While working as an electrician, are not all super geniuses. Maybe my science background was cru- you’ve watched the “Big Bang cial to understanding LEDs (light- Theory,” and you think we’re all emitting diodes), including how Sheldon Cooper. I have a passion to wire them and deal with their for science, but the similarity stops limitations. I also comprehend the there. We don’t all ace high school wavelength of light that LEDs emit calculus. The fact is, science is and how it differs from an incan- open to being pursued by anyone descent bulb. who has the desire and interest. My interest in science never Third, my interest in science SCIENTIST continued on page 7

News and commentary about research from the APS journals

TM Sign up for Alerts: physics.aps.org 6 • March 2018

MEETING continued from page 1 that students can use to negotiate a (April 16, 8:30 a.m.) features three for Exceptional Achievement in position in academia, industry, or at speakers: Njema Frazier (National Research, will discuss the phys- a national lab, interact positively on Nuclear Security Administration, ics of magnetic fields in the Sun. teams and with a mentor or advisor, DOE) will discuss her agen- 2017 Nobel Laureates Rainer Weiss think tactically, articulate goals, cy’s programs; Anne Archibald (MIT) and Barry Barish (Caltech) enhance their personal presence, (Netherlands Institute for Radio will give presentations on LIGO and develop alliances. Astronomy) will give a presenta- and gravitational wave physics. APS will hold its Annual tion on “Tests of General Relativity Throughout 2018, APS leader- Business Meeting with presen- Using a Pulsar in a Triple System,” ship will be engaged in develop- tations by APS leadership and and Marcelle Soares-Santos ing a strategic plan for the coming an opportunity to ask questions (Brandeis University) will pres- years. Member input is vital to and share comments (4–5 p.m., ent “Discovery, Characterization, this process, so please be sure to room A216). and Physics Implications of the On Saturday, there will be a Electromagnetic Signatures of attend the Town Hall on Strategic welcome reception and poster GW170817” on the first direct Planning on Monday, April 16, session (5:30 p.m.), followed detection of a neutron star merger. 3:30–5 p.m. in room B130 of the later (7–8 p.m.) by Nobel laure- A distinguished lineup of Convention Center. The Town ate Rainer Weiss (MIT), who will speakers graces the plenary ses- Hall will be hosted by 2018 APS present a lecture open to the public sion on Tuesday (April 17, 8:30 President Roger Falcone and APS on “Exploring the Universe with a.m.). Astrophysicist Eugene Chief Executive Officer Kate Kirby. Gravitational Waves.” Parker (University of Chicago), For more on the April Meeting Monday’s plenary session winner of the 2017 APS Medal visit aps.org/meetings/april

quarks cosmos APRIL MEETING 2018 Q2C April 14-17, 2018 Columbus, Ohio

EXPERT continued from page 4 hacking us,” he says. “But maybe agency—is one recent example of a ing the possibility that its com- we might want to hack them.” cybersecurity incident that affected pany’s computer systems will be Lin is also an amateur magician, the public. In an op-ed piece in the destroyed and private email, salary and he’s quick to note the parallels Washington Post, Lin advocated information, and much more pub- between sleight of hand and his day one way of combating similar licly revealed,” Lin wrote in 2015. job. In both magic and cybersecu- events in the future: “Individual Given his front-row seat to the rity, you have to “pre-implant vul- [credit] reports [should] be fro- limitations of technology, Lin has nerabilities,” he said at a Stanford zen by default, “thaw-able” only some reservations about the bur- University seminar in 2015. With a with the individual’s consent,” geoning “Internet of things,” the magic trick, creating a vulnerabil- he wrote. Such a requirement, if growing system of networked ity might be as simple as hiding a enforced technically, would help devices that share data over the particular card under a participant’s to ensure that the sensitive data Internet. He recounted an incident seat in advance, Lin says. In the contained within the reports were a few years ago with an Internet- field of cybersecurity, ensuring a available to others only with the enabled thermostat, which was vulnerability might involve design- permission of the individual asso- ing a missile that turns off when it ciated with that credit report. But programmed by a smartphone. receives a certain radar code, for this idea isn’t likely to make it into “It crashed in such a way that you example. “You have to set the stage policy anytime soon, Lin concedes, couldn’t turn on the heat, and there so when you come into it later on because selling credit reports is big were people who froze,” he says. you can take advantage of what’s business: Equifax’s 2016 revenue “That is just totally asinine.” there,” Lin said at the seminar. topped $3 billion, Lin noted in “I’ll be damned,” Lin says, “if The Equifax data breach in his op-ed. I’m going to put in an Internet September 2017—in which infor- Data breaches aren’t going away refrigerator.” mation from 143 million consumers anytime soon, Lin says. “Every The author is a freelance writer was stolen from the credit reporting boardroom should be contemplat- based in Portland, Oregon.

UNIT LEADERS continued from page 3 affairs officer for APS OGA. “We’ll face challenges in 2018 similar to the ones we faced last

year,” Slakey added, “and the APS Lesya Horyn OGA will continue to up its game and partner with our APS units.” In 2017, APS OGA assisted Society members with 14,873 contacts—phone calls, emails, and meetings—to their congressional representatives on crucial science policy issues. These included targeted approaches in specific states and districts, 15 nationwide online-campaigns for APS units, and activities at APS meetings. In many cases, the House and Senate took action influenced by the strong response from APS members. APS OGA will continue to Marion White (far right in orange sweater) stands with her Illinois delegation implement its effective inte- after advocating for science at U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren's office (IL - 14th). grated advocacy strategy in 2018, Foundation and nearly a dozen sci- members be a voice for physics,” supplementing it with even more ence and engineering organizations said Mack. enhanced targeting and mobili- on a coordinated effort to advo- To learn more about the five zation methods. The office also cate for the federal investment in issues the APS volunteers advo- plans to bring in new voices and research. cated for during the recent CVD partners to advocate for science, “We are always developing and to take action, click on the including working with the Packard and offering ways to help APS Advocacy Dashboard. March 2018 • 7

SCIENTIST continued from page 5 BALLERINA continued from page 1 dimmed. Today, I work at Cooper ment to thank for making a lot only in the studio. You have to be a her contract into another season, Construction Services in Frederick of this possible. The University ballet dancer on the bus, when you but Moore declined. “Dancing is a as an estimator, a person who con- of Maryland provides one of the walk, and wherever you go. That’s really tough life, and I wasn’t ready sults with clients to determine country’s best programs in physics, how you have to act when no one is to sacrifice the physics for that.” general construction costs. And in part, because it has a research watching. You have to be confident She came back to school in 2009, my physics degree keeps paying environment supported by the with being the best version of you.” intending to abandon dance, and dividends through critical-thinking National Science Foundation, the When Moore entered Harvard even threw out all of her leotards skills and the comprehension of National Institute of Standards in the fall of 2006, her love of both and shoes. “But that didn’t last very spreadsheets and budgets. and Technology, and the Office ballet and physics was secure. And long!” Within a few months she So, like many in my generation of Science at the Department of yet, “dancing professionally didn’t was back on stage, and joined the who graduated from college in Energy. The federal funding of sci- cross my mind,” she says. But at Boston Ballet. 2008, I haven’t followed a straight ence enables students to participate the university, “I was lucky that But when it came time for grad- and predictable career path. In an in undergraduate research oppor- there were lots of opportunities to uation and decisions about future increasingly competitive economy, tunities that prepare them for the dance. Incredible dance legends moves, Moore’s ardor for science having a background in science is diverse career opportunities ahead. were teaching classes.” But sud- returned. “I knew I always wanted worth every nickel. For example, As President Trump and denly, an urgency set in. “I freaked to continue with physics,” she says. the unemployment rate of science Congress finalize the federal bud- out,” she says, thinking to herself “So doing the Ph.D. was what I had degree holders is just a few per- get, and as parents and students “Oh my God, I’m 19 and people to do while I had the momentum.” cent, and the jobs we fill have com- make decisions on schools and retire at this age. I have to do it Moore is clear that her training as Merritt Moore in the lab petitive starting salaries. Compare majors, remember that science is now! My greatest fear is regret and a ballerina has primed her for suc- also aiming to explore artificial that to film-study majors who a sure-fire way to diverse employ- I didn’t want to regret that I hadn’t cess in physics. “Dance has given intelligence and machine learn- have unemployment rates near 13 ment paths. Career opportunities given it everything I had. So it was me this persistence and grit which ing with dance. “I want to explore percent. abound. The pay is great. And the ok for me to go for it.” is really important these days in sci- physics through dance,” she says. The employment success in rewards are long lasting. And go for it she did, audition- ence. I learned a lot through audi- “I don’t know what the path is science is easily explained, and it The author is an estimator at ing 24 times in one year. In 2008, as tions. As a dancer and performer, going to be because I don’t take shatters the last myth. Cooper Construction Services a sophomore, Moore was accepted we are used to putting ourselves the conventional path.” A science degree doesn’t close in Frederick County, Maryland. into the Zurich Ballet Company. out there and giving it all.” At the same time, Moore doors; it throws them wide open. Opinions expressed are solely She did her physics homework on Moore earned her doctorate in believes that, in some ways, phys- I didn’t know where I would the author’s and not those of his the airplane, and although she offi- quantum optics from Oxford in ics research is easier to manage. “If end up, but I knew that a science employer or of APS. cially took a year off from school December 2017, and in January I have a 20 hour day in the lab, 3 degree would take me there. I’m a For information about APS to dance in Europe, she audited 2018, she was named to the Forbes weeks in a row, I’m like ‘At least proud graduate of the University efforts to support science funding, physics courses at ETH Zurich. 2018 30 Under 30 Europe list for my toes aren’t bleeding, so this is of Maryland, and I knew that my visit the website of the Office of The company offered to extend Art & Culture. In the future, she’s fine.’” degree in physics wasn’t going to Government Affairs at aps.org/ narrow my options. Instead, I knew policy. For more information on that I’d learn the problem-solving careers for physics graduates, visit skills and practical laboratory nuts- the APS Careers page at aps.org/ HONORS continued from page 4 and-bolts that would open up a careers and the APS Industrial range of career paths. Physics page at aps.org/programs/ the review started with unit lead- who are not eligible for Fellowship. prizes, awards, and Fellows nomi- I have the federal govern- industrial. ers at the 2018 APS Leadership This change was phased in over nations. These actions include Convocation. Input from APS units the past two years, and after the distributing to executive commit- will continue to be solicited and first full implementation with the tees reports of existing nomina- then the Committee will present a 2018 Fellows election process, the tions still eligible, requesting they preliminary review of its progress Fellowship Committee will assess form selection committees early at the 2018 April Council meeting. the impact of the reduction in the in the year, and asking all com- The goal is to have a final report number of Fellows, and decide if mittees to review the Guidelines for the November Council meeting. any adjustments to the allocation for Promoting Equity and the The APS Council of formula, or other procedures, is Unconscious Bias resources pro- Representatives also updated the needed. vided by the APS Committee on APS Policies and Procedures in Promoting a diverse and repre- the Status of Women in Physics and April 2016, stating that “The num- sentative community of APS prize the APS Committee on Minorities Providing funding to new comprehensive sites. ber of recommended nominees in and award recipients and Fellows each year may not exceed one-half is a top-priority for APS. Under in Physics. And to better serve our Deadline: April 13, 2018 percent of the then current mem- the guidance of the APS Board and members and volunteers, additional staff in the Membership phystec.org/RFP bership of the Society, exclud- Council, APS Honors staff have ing student members.” This was taken new actions in the current Department have been reassigned a much-needed correction since nomination cycle to further assist to the Honors Division. Please previous allocations were based on APS units in canvassing, promot- contact Mary Raucci, APS Honors the total APS membership which ing, and continuously monitoring Program Manager, at raucci@aps. now includes almost 40% students, the diversity of their respective org with any questions.

APS News online aps.org/apsnews 8 • March 2018

Hard Line on Sanctions Harms Science Diplomacy By Warren E. Pickett and Laura H. Greene

t the eleventh hour in September, the including Indonesia, India, Oman, Ghana, AU.S. government blocked five scientists Turkey, Tunisia, Brazil, and Cuba. from four U.S. universities—ourselves and Science diplomacy has been specifically three of our colleagues—from traveling to encouraged by the State Department for many Iran. We had been invited to attend and pres- years through its Science and Technology ent scientific lectures at the 10th International (S&T) Advisor, a position established in

Conference on Magnetic and Superconducting y G. Baym/ Physics Toda 2000. The position has suffered recent tur- Materials, MSM2017. This series highlights moil since the S&T Advisor, Dr. Vaughan the basic science behind exotic behavior of Turekian, resigned in July before the end of quantum materials, well before such materials his appointment [1]. Turekian had previously are used in applications. served as Director of the Office of Scientific The MSM conferences enable scientists Diplomacy of the American Association for from scientifically developing countries the Advancement of Science (AAAS), which to connect with peers in more developed has direct relations with the corresponding nations. They are biennial international con- staff in the State Department. ferences that began in 1999, and have been Very recently the National Academies held in countries ranging from Northern released U.S.-Iran Engagement in Science, Africa (Tunisia, Morocco) through the Engineering, and Health (2010-2016), Middle East (Jordan, Iran, Turkey), Southern authored by Glenn Schweitzer; this report Asia (Uzbekistan), and the Far East (India, makes the point persuasively that such sci- Malaysia). In most of them, U.S. scientists entific diplomacy greatly benefits American attended, and MSM was to be held in Tehran Pickett Warren science and policy. The State Department, in 2017. One of us (WEP) attended the MSM AAAS, and the National Academies have meetings in 2003 (Tunisia), 2007 (Morocco), worked together to promote science diplo- and 2013 (Tunisia). macy, and in the 2010-2016 years cooperative In view of continuing tensions between the activities of several hundred U.S. and Iranian U.S. and Iran, and in spite of sanctions being scientists, engineers, and health specialists relaxed in 2016, officials at our universities were supported by the National Academies advised us in the summer of 2017 to inform for discussions and mutual information the relevant U.S. agencies of the visit, and we exchange. The U.S. Department of State has did so. To assure compliance, our conference been a crucial supporter of these activities, presentations would discuss only publicly and toward the end of this period the U.S. and available results, as is conventional in many Iran concluded a momentous agreement on scientific conferences; no new breakthroughs, the reduction of sanctions in response to the discontinuation of the Iranian nuclear weap- which conceivably could conflict with the Above: In 1974, physicists from the U.S. visited the Landau Institute of Theoretical Phys- sanctions, would be announced. ics in Moscow despite cold war tensions. From left to right: G. S. Bisnovati-Kogan, I. ons program. Late in August, each of the attendees was D. Novikov, V. L. Ginzburg, Y. B. Zeldovich, and David Pines. Below: Paul and May Chu, Recall that in the midst of the cold war informed that our “participation … is pro- Farzaneh Akhavan, Jill and Warrent Pickett at a Tehran bazaar during their travels to Iran in the early 1960s, U.S. physicists visited hibited …” by the Iranian Transactions and for a superconductivity conference. their counterparts in the USSR. The climate at Sanctions Regulations (ITSR), although our that time between these two heavily nuclear- legal counsel could see no reason how such conference Faculty expressed great dismay in their isolation from the armed and contentious countries dwarfs the current U.S.-Iran attendance could violate the sanctions. No specific legal international scientific community, including issues such as conflict. Yet reciprocal visits of materials physicists began reasoning was provided by the U.S. Treasury Department's getting their manuscripts treated objectively by international around 1960 and continued for some years, providing a Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which interprets physics journals. APS publications have been forefront and stunning example of how science diplomacy can persist the broadly stated sanctions and declined to issue licenses steadfast in being fair and inclusive irrespective of nation- under the direst political circumstances. We now understand for this travel. We inquired about an appeal, but were told ality, including papers from Iranian (co)authors. Iranian that U.S. and USSR scientists working together in those that was possible only if there were significant changes in students were disturbed about prospects for their scientific formative years changed the face of theoretical condensed our applications. Since we already seemed to be in com- careers due to the lack of international communication and matter physics in the 20th century. Scientific diplomacy and plete compliance with ITSR, there was nothing to revise. information exchange. broad diversity is essential to address the challenges of the A spouse of one of us (LHG), a musician who planned to 21st century. Iran has the legacy of several millennia of a accompany us and give a recital for the conference attend- well-educated society and rich culture. This legacy has been ees and a broader audience, without a fee, was also denied “Our activities were to have been an act stalled by a lapse in societal progress in the mid-east and under ITSR. of science diplomacy—that is, interaction that part of Asia for several decades, but Iran has sustained This decision raises fundamental issues about the intent between scientists for mutual enrichment. support of higher education and even today has a high and application of the sanctions. First, the sanctions over- Science diplomacy is simply using proportion of university students (around 4 million of a 75 whelmingly focus on financial interactions between the two million population). countries. Financial arrangements were never in question the words and actions of science and We urge members of APS and indeed all scientists to for this visit. No funds would be paid to the participants, or communication between scientists to engage in scientific diplomacy when opportunities arise, paid by them to the conference. Second, the conference is make a better world, whether it is improving and more generally to promote scientific communication an established international conference and not an Iranian water resources, furthering agriculture, and international cooperation. one, so it was simply being held in Iran in 2017. The Iranians discussing quantum materials, or References: would not have access to anything like sensitive informa- [1] go.aps.org/2FE6kaY increasing broad human communication tion, and the conference proceedings would be published Warren E. Pickett is Distinguished Professor of Physics, in the open literature. and mutual understanding.” University of California Davis. Laura H. Greene is Chief Over the past four years, numerous U.S. academics have Scientist at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, attended and presented talks at conferences in Iran without Francis Eppes Professor of Physics, Florida State University, any known objection from the Treasury Department. Its Our activities were to have been an act of science diplo- and Past President of APS. denial of our application to travel did not provide reason- macy—that is, interaction between scientists for mutual ing, legal or otherwise. Denial of permission occurred only enrichment. Science diplomacy is simply using the words because the scientists, unlike the earlier visitors, requested and actions of science and communication between scien- explicit permission from OFAC. In February 2014 one of us tists to make a better world, whether it is improving water (WEP), together with Tony Leggett (University of Illinois resources, furthering agriculture, discussing quantum materi- at Urbana–Champaign) and Paul C. W. Chu (University als, or increasing broad human communication and mutual of Houston), visited Iran for two weeks. [Documentation understanding. of some of the activities of this visit can be seen at yclept. The other of us (LHG) has had long-term and deep ucdavis.edu/iran.html] We attended and presented at their involvement in science diplomacy, which she made her sig- 4th National Conference on Advances in Superconductivity, nature theme during her 2017 year as president of APS. She and visited four major Iranian universities. At each campus has given scientific talks and workshops (to increase the sci- we met with faculty groups, and sometimes administrators entific success of young scientists, especially women), and and student groups, to discuss science diplomacy issues. strengthened U.S. scientific ties with a variety of countries, Warren E. Pickett Laura H. Greene

The Back Page is a forum for member commentary and opinion. The views expressed are not necessarily those of APS. APS News welcomes and encourages letters and submissions from APS members responding to these and other issues. Responses may be sent to: [email protected]