Rudolf Kompfner Papers
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http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c89p301s No online items Guide to the Rudolf Kompfner Papers Daniel Hartwig Stanford University. Libraries.Department of Special Collections and University Archives Stanford, California October 2010 Copyright © 2015 The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University. All rights reserved. Note This encoded finding aid is compliant with Stanford EAD Best Practice Guidelines, Version 1.0. Guide to the Rudolf Kompfner SC0194 1 Papers Overview Call Number: SC0194 Creator: Kompfner, Rudolf, 1909-1977 Title: Rudolf Kompfner papers Dates: 1937-1981 Physical Description: 10 Linear feet (21 boxes) Summary: The Kompfner papers span the years 1937 to 1977 and concentrate primarily on his research interests while at Bell Laboratories, Stanford University and Oxford University. The collection includes general correspondence files, diaries (1937-41), notebooks and notes (1937-77), articles and reports (1937-80), awards and drawings. Additional material received 1985 and 1987 includes correspondence, research files, notebooks, patent records, and publications. Language(s): The materials are in English. Language(s): The material is in English. Repository: Department of Special Collections and University Archives Green Library 557 Escondido Mall Stanford, CA 94305-6064 Email: [email protected] Phone: (650) 725-1022 URL: http://library.stanford.edu/spc Gift of Peggy Kompfner 1978, 1980-85; loan from Bell Laboratories, 1979. Custodial History The Rudolf Kompfner papers, with the exception of his Bell Lab notebooks, were the gift of his wife, Peggy Kompfner to Stanford University in 1978; the materials were transferred from the Kompfner's Stanford University residence to the University Archives in that year with an addition later in the year. In 1979, Bell Laboratories, at the request of Professor Calvin Quate, transferred 26 research notebooks regarding Kompfner's research to the Stanford University Archlves. The notebooks are on indefinite loan in accordance with the agreement dated 14 February 1979 and title to the notebooks, including literary rlghts, are retained by Bell Laboratories. No restrictions were placed on access to the notebooks, and they may be studied by researchers as part of the Rudolf Kompfner papers in the reading room of the University Archives. Information about Access This collection is open for research. Ownership & Copyright Requests for permission to publish materials from this collection should be discussed with the University Archivist. Legal ownership of Series IV (Bell Laboratory Notebooks) including the right to publish is retained by Bell Laboratories, New Jersey. Cite As Rudolf Kompfner Papers (SC0194). Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif. Processing Notes The arrangement and description of the Rudolf Kompfner papers, including the following series description and inventory, was carried out as a special project funded by the Friends of Rudolf Kompfner in his honor. In addition to supporting the processing of the papers, this generous gift allowed the Univiversity Archives to experiment with several online data processing systems provided by Stanford University 's computer center and to produce our first online collection guide. Preliminary processing was carried out by Kym Sommerville. Final arrangement, description and computer analysis was carried out by Barbara J. Begley. Biographical/Historical Sketch Professor of Applied Physics at Stanford University and world renowned communications scientist, Rudolf Kompfner came to Stanford in 1973 after a distinguished career at Bell Telephone Laboratories, Oxford University, and with British government research. Guide to the Rudolf Kompfner SC0194 2 Papers Professor Kompfner was born in Vienna in 1909 and received the degree of engineer from the Technische Hochschule in 1933. He emigrated to England in 1934 where he worked as an architect. Kompfner already had a strong interest in experimental physics, however, and began a self-guided study of the field. He was already an accomplished research physicist when he received his Ph. D. from Oxford University, having worked at Birmingham University (1941-44) and Oxford's Clarendon Laboratory (1944-51). His invention of the traveling wave tube during this time is credited with making future satellite communications practicable. In 1950, he developed the backward wave oscillator which made microwave oscillators electronically tunable. Ultimately the holder of over 50 patents, Kompfner continued his research at the Bell Laboratories from 1952 to 1973. His last years, 1973 to 1977, were spent in research and teaching at both Stanford University and Oxford University, focusing prlmarily on integrated optics. Professor Kompfner received numerous awards, including the National Medal of Science in 1975 for his invention of the traveling wave tube and for major contributions to communications satellites and optical communications. He was a member of the National Academy of Science and of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Description of the Collection The Kompfner papers span the years 1937 to 1977 and concentrate primarily on his research interests while at Bell Laboratories, Stanford University and Oxford University. The collection includes general correspondence files, diaries (1937-41), notebooks and notes (1937-77), articles and reports (1937-80), awards and drawings. Additional material received 1985 and 1987 includes correspondence, research files, notebooks, patent records, and publications. Of particular note are the 26 research notebooks compiled by Kompfner regarding his research at Bell Laboratories, 1952 to 1973 (series IV) and his 1937 diary documenting his selfdirected readings and experiments in physics while still a practicing architect (series II). Arrangement The collection is arranged in seven series and two additions: 1. General Files, 1941-1978; 2. Diaries, 1937-1941; 3. Notebooks and Notes, 1937-1977; 4. Bell Laboratory Notebooks, 1952-1973; 5. Articles, Reports and Speeches, 1937-1980; 6. Awards, 7. Drawings. Access Terms Bell Telephone Laboratories. Benham, W. E. English Electric Valve Co. Fuchs, Wolfgang. Kompfner, Rudolf, 1909-1977 Liebmann, Gerard. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Stanford University. Department of Applied Physics. Faculty. Articles. Awards. Backward-wave tubes. Diaries. Drawings. Notebooks. Physics--Research. Reports. Science--History. Traveling-wave tubes. Guide to the Rudolf Kompfner SC0194 3 Papers Series IGeneral files 1941-1978 Research notes and mss. (by title), A-El. 1943-1951, undated Series I General files 1941-1978 Scope and Content Note This series is highlighted by Kompfner's correspondence with the British Admiralty, the Bell Telephone Laboratories and the English Electric Valve Company over the years 1944-1955. This correspondence mostly concerns Kompfner's research in physics. Associated with this correspondence are a number of unpublished handwritten and typed manuscripts written during the same time span. Also included are several patent applications bearing upon Kompfner's research interests in the late 30's and early 40's. The series is arranged alphabetically by subject. The manuscripts are listed alphabetically by title under the category "Research Notes and Manuscripts." Box 1, Folder 1 Admiralty 1944-1950 Box 1, Folder 2 Associated Universities Incorporated 1977-1978 Box 1, Folder 3 Associated Universities Incorporated, financial statements 1977 Sep-Oct Box 1, Folder 4 Bell Telephone Laboratories 1946 Apr-1951 Dec Box 1, Folder 5 Benham, W. E., correspondence with 1941 Jul-1942 Dec Box 1, Folder 6 The Codrington Club, membership list 1977 Box 1, Folder 7 English Electric Valve Co. 1950 Aug 25-Dec 15 Box 1, Folder 8 English Electric Valve Co. 1951 Jan 2-1955 Aug 10 Box 1, Folder 9 Fuchs, Wolfgang, correspondence with 1941 Feb-1942 Mar Box 1, Folder 10 Ginzton Laboratory, memo 1977 Nov 30 Box 1, Folder 11 Helical line tube patent 1943-1946 Box 1, Folder 12 Helical line tube patent, includes mss. 1947-1952 Box 1, Folder 13 Liebmann, Gerard, correspondence with 1941 Feb-1942 Mar Box 1, Folder 14 Loaded space tube, include mss. 1949 Mar-Jun Box 1, Folder 15 Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1951 May-Sep Box 1, Folder 16 National Academy of Engineering, Founders Award 1977 Box 1, Folder 17 National Academy of Engineering, nomination form 1977 Box 1, Folder 18 National Academy of Sciences, minutes of April 26, 1977 meeting 1977 Nov 21 Box 2, Folder 1 Patent Application, "Device for the Conversion of an Image Formed by Lightrays into Electrical Impulses" 1936 Box 2, Folder 2 Patent Application #14041, "Discharge Tubes Making Use of the Principle of Velocity Modulation" 1940 Sep-Nov Box 2, Folder 3 Patent Application #9360/41, "Generator of Electromagnetic Oscillations at Very High Frequencies" 1941 Jul-Oct Box 2, Folder 4 Patent Application, "A Graphical Analysis of the Planar Whole-Anode Magnetron" 1941 Box 2, Folder 5 Personal correspondence, miscellaneous 1937-1945 Box 2, Folder 6 Projects, miscellaneous progress reports, untitled mss. and notes 1945-1947, Undated Box 2, Folder 7 Research notes and mss. (by title), A-El. 1943-1951, undated Box 2, Folder 7 "Absorbtion of Radiation by a Gas," 3 pp. Undated Box 2, Folder 7 "Amplification of Plasmaoscillations by Means of D.C. Fields," 12 pp. 1951 Mar 13 Box 2, Folder 7 "Design of a Collector for V.M. Detector," 24 typed pp. Undated Box 2, Folder 7 "Design of an Electron