A P S N E W S FEBRUARY 2000 THE AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY VOLUME 9, NO. 2 [Try the enhanced APS News-online: http://www.aps.org/apsnews] APSCelebrate News APS a Century 100 of years Physics Chodos is New Associate Executive Officer Man of the lan Chodos, a senior research Aphysicist at Yale University, will succeed Barrett Ripin as Associate Century Executive Officer of the APS. Ripin stepped down in January after serving five years in that position. Chodos will assume the office full-time in July, and will divide his time between Yale and the APS in the intervening months. Among the chief responsibilities of the Associate Executive Officer are the editorship of APS News and the adminis- tration of prizes and awards. The AEO also works with the Executive Officer in the general management of Society affairs. In addition, Chodos will coordinate a new effort to enhance the APS presence on the Web, providing services not only to the APS membership and the physics com-
munity, but also to the public at large. AIP Niels Bohr Library Albert Einstein “Alan brings a great enthusiasm and a wealth of experience to the position of As- ho says physicists never get Outgoing APS News editor Barrie Ripin (left) passing the ‘baton’ to new editor, Alan Chodos W respect? Time magazine sociate Executive Officer. We are very under the watchful eye of former APS President Henry Rowland. pleased to have him join the APS staff,” said recently named theoretical physicist Judy Franz, Executive Officer of the APS. known to believe that the neutrino is a Committee in 1997. He served as Chair of Albert Einstein its “person of the Chodos received his PhD from Cornell tachyon. Chodos was elected a Fellow that committee in 1999. century” in its year-end issue University in 1970, and held postdoctoral of the APS in 1994. “We are in a period of rapid change, (December 27, 1999), citing not only positions at the University of Pennsylva- During the last decade, Chodos has both in the society at large and in the his intellectual brilliance but his nia and MIT before joining Yale in 1976. been active in Society affairs, serving on a physics community,” Chodos said. “The humanitarian concerns, and His research has concentrated in particle task force on publications in the early ’90s, APS has been working hard to keep pro- describing him as a “paramount icon theory, and he is perhaps best known on the Committee on Member Publications viding the services that its members of our age.” for his work on the MIT bag model and and briefly on the Membership Committee need, and I want to help make sure that Born in Germany in 1879, Einstein on Kaluza-Klein theories. He is also before joining the Publications Oversight that continues.” is notorious for having been expelled by a headmaster as a young school boy (see page 4). He went on to win the 1921 Nobel Prize in physics for Inside… APS Career Efforts Focus on uncovering the theory of the photo- NEWS electric effect. His early work on the To Advance and Diffuse the Knowledge Physics Departments fundamentals of quantum theory and, of Physics ...... 2 of course, relativity, laid the ground- Outreach and community service. he primary thrust of the APS’ career for their post-graduate careers and work for much of modern physics. This In the Journals ...... 3 T activities, which are guided by the now employment. The APS attempts to provide Science goes further than fiction. in turn paved the way for an unprec- two-year old APS Committee on Careers and the Liaison with up-to-date useful information edented degree of technological APS and BNL Host XXX e-Print Professional Development (CCPD), has been for students and faculty regarding physics Archive Mirror ...... 3 development, including nuclear fission In the Journals ...... 3 directed at assisting physics departments in employment in industry, academia, and fusion — the basis for the atomic Time reversal redux. their efforts to prepare graduates for the full government, and other sectors. More bomb, nuclear power, and solar energy. In Brief ...... 3 range of careers open to them. Foremost importantly, the Liaison will typically play a Einstein emigrated to the US in 1933 Mazur honored by CSSP; Centennial special among these efforts has been the Careers strong role in the professional development to take a post at the Institute for Ad- projects earn recognition; Council memoriam and Professional Development Liaison initiatives for students and faculty within their resolutions honoring George Brown Jr. and vanced Study, Princeton, NJ, narrowly Arthur L. Schawlow. (CPDL) program, initiated by former own physics department. One way the APS escaping persecution by the Nazi gov- Poll Reveals All-Star Physicists ...... 4 Associate Executive Officer, Barrett Ripin, helps to do this is through a website for ernment because of his Jewish Physics World names Top Ten physicists; readers in 1998 (see APS News, June 1998). Liaisons that acts as a resource of ‘good are invited to submit own lists. heritage. He has since become one of The CPD Liaison is a contact person in practices’ that have proven useful in other the most recognizable faces in Ameri- Cosmic CD Available at Last ...... 4 each participating physics department departments. This may involve Liaisons in Lynda Williams, the “physics chanteuse,” can physics, and has even been releases new CD. responsible for programs to prepare students Continued on page 6 immortalized on the Silver Screen by US R&D Spending Trends ...... 5 actor Walter Matthau in the popular ro- NSF data on R&D spending in the US. Mass Media Fellow Learns “Nuts and mantic comedy, I.Q. Exploring “Who Did It?” with Forensic In announcing their selection, the Science ...... 6 Physical methods solve crimes. Bolts” of Journalism magazine editors wrote, “In a century that will be remembered foremost for Cornell “Nanoharp” Studies Vibrating onducting interviews, writing news Materials at High Frequencies ...... 6 its science and technology — in par- articles, and scouting out solid story World’s smallest stringed instrument. C ticular for our ability to understand and ideas became part of a typical working then harness the forces of the atom OPINION day for physicist Ilana Harrus, who spent and the universe — one person clearly VIEWPOINT ...... 4 last summer as a science writer for the Robert A. Levy wonders who taught physics stands out as both the greatest mind Raleigh News & Observer in North photo to Thomas Pynchon. and paramount icon of our age: The Carolina as an APS Mass Media Fellow. LETTERS ...... 4 kindly, absent-minded professor In the process, she says, “I came back coming whose wild halo of hair, piercing eyes, DEPARTMENTS with a better understanding of the engaging humanity and extraordinary ZERO GRAVITY ...... 5 problems faced by journalists in their Ilana Harrus’ Raleigh News & Observer brilliance made his face a symbol and Physics product warnings daily coverage of science, and impressed presscard. his name a synonym for genius.” INSIDE THE BELTWAY ...... 5 by their fairness in writing and reporting program was developed by the APS Y2K Forecasting Takes Guts More information about Einstein can on difficult subjects.” She credits the Forum on Education in 1995 as a vehicle ANNOUNCEMENTS ...... 7 be found at websites: www.aip.org/ experience with reinforcing her desire for improving public understanding and THE BACK PAGE ...... 8 history and www.pbs.org/wgbh/ Richard Garwin on CTBT and US to become a full-time science writer. appreciation of science and technology. nova/einstein. national security. The APS Mass Media Fellowship Continued on page 3 APS News February 2000 To Advance & Diffuse the Knowledge of Physics 100 Years of the American Physical Society Excerpts from an exhibit displayed at the APS Centennial Meeting. Curator: Sara Schechner, Gnomon Research Exhibit Director: Barrett Ripin With contributions by Harry Lustig, R. Mark Wilson, and others.
Outreach and Community Service I The ferment of the Viet Nam era and the concomitant rise in social consciousness propelled APS into community service. New programs reflected contemporary issues: Diversity • diversity • government relations Two new committees improved the • employment • human rights climate for women and under- • education represented minorities in physics. The Committee on the Status of These programs for physicists and the public augmented the Women in Physics helped to triple Society’s ongoing work of advancing the knowledge of physics. the fraction of those entering physics that were women. The Committee on Minorities established a scholarship and mentoring Employment program that has enabled dozens of Rumors of physicists driving students to pursue physics training. taxis or bartending were rampant during the job crisis of the late 1960s and 1970s. This led to a precipitous drop in physics PhDs. In response, the APS offered career counseling and improved placement services. With the creation of the Forum on Industrial and Applied Physics in 1995, APS recognized the increasing fraction of physicists employed outside of academe.
Human Rights In the last thirty years, many members of the Society have decried violations of the human Herman Feshbach with Elena Bonner, rights of dissident scientists in the Soviet Union, Andrei Sakharov, and Alexi Semenov, China, and elsewhere. Today, the APS Committee Moscow, 1987. on International Freedom of Scientists fights injustice wherever found.
Next Month: Outreach and Community Service Part II
Subscriptions: APS News is an on-membership publication Executive Officer Physics), Ed Gerjuoy (Forum on Physics and Society), Andrew delivered by Periodical Mail. Members residing abroad may receive Judy R. Franz*, University of Alabama, Huntsville (on leave) Lovinger (High Polymer), Carl Lineberger (Laser Science), APS News airfreight delivery for a fee of $15. Nonmembers: Subscription Treasurer Howard Birnbaum (Materials), John D. Walecka (Nuclear), rates are: domestic $105; Canada, Mexico, Central and South Thomas McIlrath*, University of Maryland (emeritus) Sally Dawson, Peter Meyers (Particles and Fields), Robert America, and Caribbean $105; Air Freight Europe, Asia, Africa and Editor-in-Chief Siemann (Physics of Beams), Richard Hazeltine, (Plasma) Coden: ANWSEN ISSN: 1058-8132 Oceania $120. Martin Blume*, Brookhaven National Laboratory Series II, Vol. 9, No. 2 February 2000 Past-President *Members of APS Executive Board © 2000 The American Physical Society Subscription orders, renewals and address changes should Jerome Friedman*, Massachusetts Institute of Technology be addressed as follows: For APS Members—Membership ADVISORS Editor ...... Barrett H. Ripin Department, The American Physical Society, One Physics Ellipse, General Councillors Sectional Representatives Associate Editor ...... Jennifer Ouellette College Park, MD 20740-3844, [email protected]. For Beverly Berger, Philip Bucksbaum, L. Craig Davis, Stuart Kannan Jagannathan, New England; Carolyn MacDonald, New Design and Production ...... Alicia Chang Nonmembers—Circulation and Fulfillment Division, American Freedman, S. James Gates*, Leon Lederman, Cynthia McIntyre, York; Perry P. Yaney, Ohio; Joseph Hamilton, Southeastern; Institute of Physics, Suite 1NO1, 2 Huntington Quadrangle, Melville, Margaret Murnane, Roberto Peccei, Paul Peercy*, Philip Phillips, Stephen Baker, Texas Copy Editing ...... Danita Boonchaisri NY 11747-4502. Allow at least 6 weeks advance notice. For address Helen Quinn*, Jin-Joo Song, James Trefil, Virginia Trimble*, changes, please send both the old and new addresses, and, if Sau Lan Wu Representatives from Other Societies APS News (ISSN: 1058-8132) is published 11X yearly, possible, include a mailing label from a recent issue. Requests from Larry Kirkpatrick, AAPT; Marc Brodsky, AIP monthly, except the August/September issue, by the subscribers for missing issues will be honored without charge only Chair, Nominating Committee American Physical Society, One Physics Ellipse, College if received within 6 months of the issue’s actual date of publication. Michael Turner International Adviors Park, MD 20740-3844, (301) 209-3200. It contains news of Gareth Roberts, Insitute of Physics, A.M. Bradshaw, German the Society and of its Divisions, Topical Groups, Sections Periodical Postage Paid at College Park, MD and at additional Chair, Panel on Public Affairs Physical Society, Pedro Hernandez Tejeda, Mexican Physical and Forums; advance information on meetings of the mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to APS News, Roberta Saxon Society, Marie D’Iorio, Canadian Physical Society Society; and reports to the Society by its committees and Membership Department, The American Physical Society, One task forces, as well as opinions. Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740-3844. Division and Forum Councillors Staff Representatives Steven Holt* (Astrophysics), Eric Heller*, Harold Metcalf Alan Chodos, Associate Executive Officer; Irving Lerch, Letters to the editor are welcomed from the membership. APS COUNCIL 2000 (Atomic, Molecular and Optical), Robert Callender Director of International Affairs; Fred Stein, Director of Letters must be signed and should include an address and President (Biological), Stephen Leone (Chemical), E. Dan Dahlberg, Education and Outreach; Robert L. Park, Director, Public daytime telephone number. The APS reserves the right to James S. Langer*, University of California, Santa Barbara Arthur Hebard*, Zachary Fisk* (Condensed Matter), Warren Information; Michael Lubell, Director, Public Affairs; Stanley select and to edit for length or clarity. All correspondence President-Elect Pickett (Computational), Jerry Gollub (Fluid Dynamics), Brown, Administrative Editor; Charles Muller, Director, regarding APS News should be directed to: Editor, APS George H. Trilling*, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory James Wynne (Forum on Education), Gloria Lubkin* (Forum Editoral Office Services, Michael Stephens, Controller and News, One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20749-3844, Vice-President on History of Physics), Stuart Wolf (Forum on Industrial & Assistant Treasurer E-mail: [email protected]. William F. Brinkman, Bell Labs-Lucent Technologies Applied Physics), Myriam Sarachik (Forum on International
2 February 2000 APS News APS and BNL Host XXX e-Print IN BRIEF Archive Mirror Kudos for Centennial Projects Two of the Society’s special Centennial-related products have received critical he APS is establishing, in cooperation 100,000 papers in phys- raves in the general media. Scientific American’s Website featured the APS A T with Brookhaven National ics and related fields. It Century of Physics online wall chart as its “Bookmark of the Week” in December Laboratory, the first electronic mirror in operates with support [http://timeline.aps.org/]. “This is not highbrow physics but a clear, readable and the United States for the Los Alamos e- from the US National Sci- easily accessible tour of the century,” the site description reads. “The result is a Print Archive. The Archive allows authors ence Foundation, the Los huge, multilayered timeline that puts the myriad important discoveries and inven- of physics articles to post their papers Alamos National Laboratory, and the US tions in physics in context with their time and their impact on society.” In addition, on-line and, in its short life, has become Department of Energy. To speed and fa- Publisher’s Weekly (November 1, 1999) selected the APS-sponsored coffee table book, an essential resource for physics research. cilitate access, the Archive is already Physics in the 20th Century, by Curt Suplee, as coffee table book of the year, citing the The mirror, a duplicate web-site updated mirrored at 14 sites around the world. “informed clear text” and vivid photographs which “reveal in breathtaking fashion the daily, will provide wider and faster access APS Editor-in-Chief Martin Blume development of physics in this century.” The book has also been featured as a notable to the heavily used Archive. and Deputy Director Peter Paul of pick by the Quality Paperback Book Club and cited in USA Today. Scientists around the world access the Brookhaven National Laboratory led Archive to immediately find out about the collaboration. APS initiated and Mazur Honored by CSSP new developments and directions in re- organized the project, obtained the In November 1999, the Council of Scientific Society Presidents (CSSP) honored search, without having to wait for these required equipment and will partici- Eric Mazur, a professor of physics at Harvard University and fellow of APS, with its to appear in a hard copy journal. Posting pate in further software 1999 Educational Research Award. This is only the third time the award is given, on the Archive serves authors as an ad- development; Brookhaven is provid- and the first time it has been awarded to a physicist. The CSSP, which has past APS junct or an alternative to publication in a ing space and internet access. President Jerry Friedman as chair-elect, is a powerful voice in fostering wise sci- traditional physics journal. Created in Eventually, the APS/BNL mirror could ence policy, and one of the premier forums for open substantive exchanges on 1991 by Los Alamos physicist Paul move beyond a passive duplication emerging scientific issues. Mazur was honored for the exceptional quality of his Ginsparg and known informally as XXX of the XXX Archive to become a sec- work over many years in educational research and outreach. after the original web site at xxx.lanl.gov, ond site for submission of articles and In Memoriam the Archive presently contains over vetting for suitability and size. At its November meeting, the APS Council adopted two memorial resolu- tions, in honor of the late Rep. George Brown, Jr. and laser science pioneer Arthur L. Schawlow. The resolutions were incorporated into letters of condo- lence sent to the families of the deceased by APS Past President Jerome Friedman. In the Journals George E. Brown, Jr. “The Council of The American Physical Society notes with Science Goes Further Than Fiction great sadness the death of Rep. George E. Brown, Jr. of Califor- nia, former chair and ranking member of the House Science “The universe is not only queerer than system would view a person in one with Committee and one of the staunchest advocates of science. we suppose, it’s queerer than we can an opposite arrow as getting younger, Congressman Brown leaves a rich legacy: his bipartisan and thor- suppose.” —J.B.S. Haldane from his or her own perspective. oughly professional approach to science policy; his unswerving Could we actually see this theoretical devotion to the future good of the nation; and his constant re- ichael Crichton’s current best-seller, reverse arrow system? Well — Schulman minder to the science community that it, too, has social and political obligations. George MTimeline, sends science fiction buffs uses reasoning, first proposed by physi- Brown was a statesman and a gentleman who served his country with extraordinary back in time by way of physics’ latest cists John Wheeler and Robert Feynman, devotion and distinction. The Council conveys its sincere sympathy to his wife and theories. While even Crichton admits such to show that the system would have nor- family.” time travel dreams require lots of scientific mal transmission and reception of light, Arthur L. Schawlow fact stretching, Clarkson University which would help. Wheeler’s book Geons, “The Council of The American Physical Society notes with physicist Lawrence S. Schulman is putting Black Holes, & Quantum Foam — win- sadness the death of Arthur Leonard Schawlow of Stanford a new scientific spin on science fiction. In ner of the American Institute of Physics’ University, a co-inventor of the laser, winner of the Nobel Prize a paper published in the December 27 1999 Science Writing Award — also helped in Physics in 1981 for his work in laser spectroscopy, and recipient issue of Physical Review Letters, Schulman Crichton imagine a physics technology to of the National Medal of Science in 1991. A talented researcher, suggests — instead of simply skipping to get his characters into the past. outstanding educator and indefatigable lecturer, Dr. Schawlow a previous time — the possibility of Currently, though, Schulman says we trained a generation of graduate and post-doctoral students who strange worlds where the timeline itself have to settle for less direct — but just played a fundamental role in shaping the field of coherent optics actually runs backwards. as speculative — viewing. While scien- and quantum electronics. He was an outstanding physics citizen, serving as president of According to Schulman, in these not- tists tell us the visible universe is the APS in 1981. He lectured widely to the public and was active in support of efforts yet-discovered places broken eggs, for continuing its expansion away from the to help autistic individuals. The Council conveys its sincere sympathy to his two daughters example, would re-form. Typically, phys- “Big Bang,” Schulman suggests reverse and his son.” ics says this isn’t allowed. Disorder, which arrow regions are full of burned out stars physicists call “entropy,” rules in our from the future (the other region’s past) world. Or, as Schulman states, “the fate that haven’t re-lit on their way to a reju- Mass Media Fellow, continued from page 1 of Humpty Dumpty is sealed by the ‘Sec- venating “Big Crunch.” But we may be It provides an opportunity for physics Franklin with taking the time to work with ond Law of Thermodynamics.’” seeing those regions’ effects, according students or physicists who are early in their her one-on-one on an early story and help- It’s been assumed that the entire uni- to Schulman, as the mysterious “dark careers to work over the summer as ing her develop some of the “nuts and bolts” verse shares the same “thermodynamic matter” that seems to be exerting un- science reporters at radio stations, journalistic skills required. arrow of time.” But, through statistical seen gravitational effects on visible stars. television stations, newspapers and Harrus is currently debating whether she computer modeling, Schulman says, “I Viewing possibilities are definitely magazines throughout the country. The would prefer to write about science for a have found that there could be regions, greater for a big budget movie version American Association for the Advancement general audience or for a more targeted sci- perhaps within our own galaxy, in which of Crichton’s Timeline, but a celluloid de- of Science Mass Media Science and entific readership. She is drawing a clear the arrow goes the other way.” Further- piction of Schulman’s timeline should be Engineering Fellows program acts as distinction between science writing and what more, all physical processes (including less expensive to make—just run an al- matchmaker to place the APS fellows with she terms, “journalism which happens to be entropy) would appear to be going in a ready made film backwards. host media organizations. about science.” Initially, she plans to focus normal direction relative to a person liv- — Randy Atkins, Inside Science News Harrus earned her PhD in physics and on freelancing for science publications, but ing in that system. A person in either Service astrophysics from Columbia University in clings to the hope of one day writing again 1997 and had just completed a postdoctoral for the general public. “There is so much joy Everyone’s a Critic.... fellowship at the Harvard Smithsonian Cen- in understanding complicated concepts,” she Well before the movie version of Crichton’s Timeline is released, critics are ter for Astrophysics when she applied for says. “There must be a way to transmit this already chiming in with their take on the conclusions of Schulman’s PRL paper: the APS fellowship. As a media intern, she joy, and not just the illusion of it, to a large “I love this story—a ‘believable’ explanation for Cold Dark Matter would found herself employing the more general number of people.” be a FABULOUS way to leave the 20th Century behind us.” analytical tools of her science training rather Initially approved for a trial three-year —Walter Lewin, PhD, astrophysics professor, MIT than any specific knowledge of physics, al- period, the APS Council unanimously ap- “He’s probably wrong. He’s piled speculation upon speculation. However, it though she found her statistical background proved the Mass Media Fellowship program will be a wild ride for us physicists to prove him wrong. Physics thrives on teasing useful for an article on statewide school test as an ongoing APS activity last May. “At the apart outrageous and delicious paradoxes. That’s how real science is done.” results, for example. And, she discovered, end of their fellowship tenure, whether they —Michio Kaku, PhD, physics professor, City University of New York “Journalists can be just as passionate as sci- become full-time journalists or return to tra- “Although this is a novel conceptual view of time in a macroscopic system, entists about their work, and I found that ditional science careers, the APS mass media a localized region in the universe would have to be observed for new physical enthusiasm is contagious.” fellows will serve as a resource for the phys- laws to prevail. Our assumptions are that the laws do not change depending Despite her regular contributions to sev- ics community to facilitate and enhance our upon your location in the universe.” eral publications, Harrus had never written communications with the media and, ulti- —Herman White, PhD, research physicist, Fermilab for a daily newspaper, and lacked formal train- mately, the public,” says Jim Wynne, program “Thanks for asking but, I’d rather not go there. If that’s a pun, all the better.” ing in journalism. As an intern, her education manager for local education outreach at the —Anonymous physicist was swift, and very much a trial by fire. She IBM T. J. Watson Research Center, who also credits News and Observer science writer Jon serves as forum councilor for the FED. 3 APS News February 2000 OPINION
VIEWPOINT... LETTERS
Who Taught Physics to Thomas Sinking Test Ban Politics There is more to the story, “Sinking the Test Ban Treaty,” than the simple politi- cal posturing described in Michael Lubell’s analysis of the failure of the Senate to Pynchon? ratify this treaty. I was surprised that nothing in the article addressed the merits and By Robert A. Levy demerits of the proposed treaty. As one who would like to see the ratification, eventually, of an enforceable pact banning these tests, I am also aware of the argu- ast spring, APS News published an essays, books, and discussions taking ments treaty opponents made to the effect that the recent proposal was defective- L article on the genealogy of physicists place at literature departments every- especially as to its enforceability. I would like to see the APS News provide more (The Back Page, March 1999), in terms where. There are many more books information on this subject to help APS members understand the two sides of this of the lineage of their principal thesis about Pynchon than by Pynchon, such issue. Simply leaving the impression that the treaty’s failure was the result of squab- advisors, which in numerous cases were as Pynchon’s Poetics, by Hanjo bling political brats does a disservice to the very serious issues that are involved. interesting and sometimes surprising. But Berressem (University of Illinois Press, David V. Anderson what about the physics genealogy of 1993) The Encyclopedia Britannica de- Orinda, CA Thomas Pynchon? scribes Pynchon’s greatest novel, Editor’s note: Richard Garwin gives a perspective on attributes of the test ban Who, you might well ask, is Thomas Gravity’s Rainbow, as “a tour de force in treaty in this month’s Back Page. Readers are encouraged to express opposing Pynchon, and why would anyone want to 20th century literature... filled with de- views or comments in letters to the editor: [email protected]. know his physics genealogy? You wouldn’t scriptions of obsessive and paranoid Festive Formula Flaw be alone. During a weekly colloquium talk fantasies, ridiculous and grotesque imag- The claim made on The Back Page of the December APS News that the “Festive at the University of California, Davis, in ery, and esoteric mathematical and Formula” yields the day of the week Christmas falls on for “any year after 1600" 1980, attended by 50 graduate students scientific language.” requires qualification, as the formula is based on the Gregorian calendar. While some and faculty, only one knew the name of I would like to recommend that physi- European countries did adopt this calendar prior to 1600, many did not. Britain (and Pynchon: the department chair. And at the cists finally acquaint themselves with this its colonies) did not do so until the 18th century, which UNIX users can verify with APS Centennial meeting last March, I asked long-overlooked author. If we want to the command “cal 9 1752”. Further details can be found at http://www.magnet.ch/ a well-known emeritus member of the be able to communicate with the gen- serendipity/hermetic/cal_stud/cal_art.htm#Adoption physics teaching faculty at Cornell Univer- eral public, we would be well advised to Tevian Dray
4 February 2000 APS News zero gravity INSIDE THE BELTWAY A Washington Analysis Physics Product Warnings
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That means the this merchandise should contact IMPORTANT NOTICE TO sert that they had not broken the Democrats will remain in the minor- antimatter in any form, a catastrophic PURCHASERS: The entire physical budget caps, even though the Con- ity, but the Republicans will fall short explosion will result. universe, including this product, may one gressional Budget Office and the of a filibuster-proof majority of 60. PUBLIC NOTICE AS REQUIRED day collapse back into an infinitesimally Office of Management and Budget For the Senate in Y2K, it means busi- BY LAW: Any use of this product, in small space. Should another universe said they had. Here are some of the ness as usual. any manner whatsoever, will increase the subsequently re-emerge, the existence of big-ticket items that saw their fiscal As for the White House, 1999 was amount of disorder in the universe. Al- this product in that universe cannot be year reassigned: civilian and military a near-record setting year. On issues though no liability is implied herein, the guaranteed. pay date shift ($4.1 billion), Federal on which he had staked out a clear Reserve System accelerated pay- position, President Clinton suc- ments ($3.8 billion), defense ceeded in a mere 37.8 percent of the US R&D Spending Trends contractors delayed payments ($1.3 votes, the second lowest rate racked billion) and NIH deferred payments up since the political analysis jour- ast fall the National Science • 6.1%: average rate of annual increases ($0.8 billion). nal Congressional Quarterly began its LFoundation’s Division of in total R&D expenditures from 1995 The odds are that Congress will tabulation 47 years ago. It was just Science Resource Studies issued a to 1999 repeat the same kind of creative bud- 1.6 percent higher than the record Data Brief with some interesting • 7.2%: average rate of annual increases geting this year and that the low this President had set in 1995, numbers on R&D spending in the in total R&D expenditures from 1998 President will go along with the cha- in the immediate aftermath of the US. Note that these numbers to 1999 combine all R&D disciplines and rade. Both parties will dash to the Republican revolution. HOW R&D SPENDING tape as fast as they can to get out of Don’t look for Y2K to be very dif- that the physical sciences have town before the public picks up a ferent. For all his charisma and fared less well than the biological COMPARES TO GDP: whiff of the chicanery. They’ll leave intellect, President Clinton has dis- and medical areas for many years. • 2.79%: R&D as a share of the 1999 GDP, the budget mess for the next Presi- played little interest in building A few selections are featured the highest percentage since 1967 dent and Congress to clean up. bridges to Congress. Much of that below. The full report, R&D as a • 2.67%: R&D as a share of the 1998 GDP How will science budgets fare in this stems from the triangulation strategy Percentage of GDP Continues • 2.61%: R&D as a share of the 1997 GDP scenario? Probably for most agencies developed by former presidential Upward Climb, by Steven Payson, • 2.87%: Highest R&D/GDP ratio in US the numbers will show consistent in- advisor Dick Morris after the 1994 can be found online at http:// history, in 1953 www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs. creases — so long as members of Democratic debacle. Morris had ar- HOW R&D FUNDING IS Congress hear from their constituents. gued that to win a second term in WHAT ALL SECTORS IN US SPENT: The one exception could be the 1996, the President had to portray ARE SPENDING ON R&D: Department of Energy, which will himself as the third alternative to the • 16.3%: share of projected 1999 R&D come under heavy fire from Capitol two-party ideologies that govern • $247 billion, projected total 1999 for basic research Hill critics on both sides of the aisle, congressional debate. R&D expenditures • 22.9%: share of projected 1999 R&D for applied research who claim that Secretary Richardson The strategy paid off in the elec- INCREASE IN TOTAL R&D thwarted the will of Congress when he tion, but it did little for the • 60.9%: share of projected 1999 R&D SPENDING: for development took on the added role of the interim President’s reputation on the Hill. • 6.8%: average rate of annual increase Undersecretary of the new National Still, watch for Congress and the in total R&D expenditures from 1980 WHO SUPPORTED R&D in Nuclear Security Agency. Whether the White House to rally around science to 1985 1999: DOE research budget comes up short with calls for a balanced portfolio and • 2.1%: average rate of annual increases • 68.5%: share supported by industry as a result, will depend on how well increased investment in research as in total R&D expenditures from 1985 • 26.7%: share supported by the the APS and others lobby Congress on the underpinning of the American to 1990 federal government, lowest since the Department’s gem — the Office economy. • 1.0%: average rate of annual increases 1953, when data was collected of Science. If I’m wrong, remember that it in total R&D expenditures from 1990 —Item courtesy of Richard Jones, Here are two more DOE predic- takes more guts to do this than to to 1995 AIP Public Information tions: House Science Committee be a futurist. 5 APS News February 2000 Exploring “Who Did It?” with Forensic Science ince the introduction of fictional pace. According to the subsequent con- Jr. of the Texas Department of Safety Crime Sdetective Sherlock Holmes in the 19th Lisa White, a research troversy surrounding Laboratory, who described how drug and al- Century, scientific methods have become scientist with the DNA evidence intro- cohol toxicology methods have helped law increasingly important, not only to criminal Houston-based duced in court, “The enforcement personnel locate and confiscate investigations, but also for such purposes as Identigene, it is now science itself is various contraband substances, such as heroin, establishing identity for child support and possible to obtain hardly ever ques- cocaine and marijuana. Even standard spec- inheritance issues. A special session at the sufficient DNA tioned,” says White. trometry techniques have improved to the recent fall meeting of the APS Texas Section, samples from the “When defense at- point where analysts can now test for 160 held last October in Austin, TX, highlighted handle of a suitcase, torneys object to different drugs in the body simultaneously, the latest developments in such critical areas cigarette butts, used Image from http://www.phys.ttu.edu/~menzel/center_abstract.html DNA evidence, it’s from a single drop of blood, and within two of forensic science as DNA testing, fingerprint Kleenex, bubble gum and soda cans — in not the actual results they’re fighting, it’s how minutes, according to Fink. analysis, and drug and alcohol toxicology. fact, from almost anything that comes into someone gathered the evidence.” However, while the physics and tech- The session was the brainchild of Manfred close contact with blood, saliva, skin cells or Roland Menzel, a professor at Texas nology for better and more accurate Fink, a professor of physics at the University other bodily fluids. “There’s just no way to Tech University and director of its Forensics forensic analysis is there, Fink emphasizes of Texas who teaches a highly popular un- escape DNA analysis anymore,” says White, Science Center, discussed techniques for that forensic methods are useful primarily dergraduate course in forensic science, often pointing out that the human body sheds fingerprint analysis, opening with a sample if one has a target subject to which one to standing-room-only crowds of more than 10,000 cells day. obtained from the days of the Civil War, can compare the results. Also, as the LAPD 200 students. “I am limited every time by Identigene specializes in laser-based tech- using one of the most primitive methods: discovered in the Simpson trial, there must the size of the classroom,” he says, and tries nology for all kinds of DNA analysis, including laser detection of the inherent fluorescence be immaculate handling of the collection to tie the subject matter into what students paternity testing, criminal testing, forensic of fingerprint residue. In addition to of the sample to be analyzed in order for have seen on TV, from drug and alcohol toxi- testing, and family reconstructions. DNA occasional casework consulting in forensics, the results to be useful as evidence in cology, to DNA testing, to forgery, or how analysis has been used to identify body parts Menzel is developing a new technique that courts of law. Menzel conducts the occa- Napoleon died. “O.J. Simpson has done [fo- retrieved in the aftermath of the recent Egyp- involves tagging fingerprints with sional workshop for law enforcement rensics] a fantastic favor, because it really tian Air disaster, or body parts scattered from photoluminescent semiconductor employees to train them in various aspects highlighted the sensitivity of these technolo- graves in cemeteries during the recent floods nanocrystals, which, because they have of forensic analysis, including the correct gies, so this is a fashionable topic.” in North Carolina, and reassemble them. The long luminescent lifetimes, can enable procedure for collecting samples. “Even DNA testing has been an area of intense company’s latest innovation is a DNA time-resolved imaging to get rid of the most modern technology cannot help public interest ever since its pivotal role in microarray called APEX, capable of identify- unwanted backgrounds for a clearer image you if the sample isn’t handled correctly,” the Simpson murder trial several years ago, ing 70 different genes with nearly absolute of the print. says Fink. “So we must educate the rest and the field continues to advance at a rapid certainty. As for the Simpson acquittal and Also featured at the session was W. Ginn, of the world.” Cornell “Nanoharp” Studies Vibrating Materials at High Frequencies esearchers at Cornell University have to other materials as well. and graduate researcher in R fabricated the world’s smallest stringed The nanoharp is carved out of a single Cornell’s physics department, instrument — which they call a “nanoharp” crystal of silicon using advanced versions of who was one of the featured — to study the physics of very small vibrating the same methods used to build tiny elec- speakers on the topic at the APS systems at record high frequencies. The tronic circuits: electron beam lithography and meeting. device and associated fabrication techniques “released silicon” technology, which refers The nanoharp’s purpose were presented during the APS Centennial to nanostructures that have been undercut goes beyond mere scientific Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, this past March. to be freely suspended in space. It consists whimsy. Craighead and his fel- The same group of researchers fabricated of two endpieces, one square and one tri- low researchers are studying a microscopic guitar two years ago as a angular, with several “strings” of varying resonance effects in these mi- whimsical demonstration of their fledgling lengths stretching between them. The croscopic systems. They cause nanofabrication technology. [The original strings are actually silicon rods 50 nm (150 the silicon rods to vibrate by nanoguitar is included on the APS Timeline atoms) in diameter, ranging from 1000 to applying a radio frequency volt- of Physics wall chart.] Cornell professor Harold 8000 nm in length, and the entire device age signal through the silicon Craighead, who supervised the research, says is about the size of a single red blood cell. base. They then measure the the nanoharp is just another use for their As with a full-size harp, the resonance fre- resulting vibrations by bouncing Photo courtesy: Dustin Carr, Cornell Nanofabrication Facility, Cornell Univ. Cornell Facility, Nanofabrication Dustin Carr, Photo courtesy: newfound ability to make microscopic quency at which a string vibrates depends laser light off the strings and ob- Electron microscope image of a nanofabricated device to mechanical systems. “By making things very on the length and the mass. However, the serving the reflected light with study microscopic resonances. The "Strings" are rods 50 small, you bring out properties that aren’t microscopic strings are not under tension like a highly sensitive interferometer. nanometers thick. evident in larger materials,” he says. “We can those in a musical instrument, and hence the The effect is similar to the way in which pluck- tion as little as one nanometer. Eventually combine this information with other types resonant frequency of the nanoharp’s strings ing a string tuned to middle C, for example, they hope to examine the behavior of these of measurements made by researchers in follow a different rule, varying as the square causes a nearby string tuned an octave higher oscillators at very low temperatures. materials science to help understand how of its length, similar to a metal bar being struck to vibrate in response to energy transmitted For more information about materials behave.” Although the current by a hammer. “It’s really more like a xylo- through the air. The team has measured vi- Harold Craighead’s nanofabrication device is made of silicon, Craighead says that phone than a harp,” says Dustin Carr, a brations at frequencies from 15 MHz up to research at Cornell University, see the same methods can eventually be applied research support specialist in Craighead’s lab 380 MHz, and the system can detect a mo- http://www.hgc.cornell.edu.
APS Career Efforts Focus on Physics Department, continued from page 1 departments that have tried successful [Departments may sign up for the Liaison programs providing suggestions on how program on the CPDL website at: to set up student internships, foster closer www.aps.org/jobs/cpdl] ties with physics related industry, and Departments can learn a lot about what developing other ways that physics works, or doesn’t work, by examing exist- departments can better prepare students ing programs. The Liaison program is for a diversity of career options. “Despite designed to foster such cross-examination our good intentions, we sometimes can’t and make it easy for interested faculty to provide all of the information our students learn the real scoop from the most expe- need,” bemoaned one department chair. rienced persons. The APS is hosting a Career Liaison Work- The APS and AIP initiated a prototype shop in Minneapolis, MN just prior to the Y2K “Career Site Visit Program” in which a de- Fall 1999 CCPD meeting attendees. Standing, left to right, are: Arthur Hebard, Tony Nero, James March Meeting to help Liaisons and to stimu- partment invites in a team of experts to McCambridge (FIAP Rep.), David Elmore, Barrett Ripin (Sr. APS Liaison). Seated are: Arlene Modeste late greater interchange between physics evaluate its efforts at providing for the pro- Knowles (APS Staff), Alan Goland (1999 CCPD Chair), Diandra Leslie-Pelecky (2000 CCPD Chair), Jack Hehn (Director, AIP Education Department), Bo Hammer (Director, Society of Physics Students). departments in the US. In addition, the APS fessional needs of its graduates. The first hopes to learn how it can more effectively such visit was made to Southwest Texas cited the small class sizes, attention from with sponsorship from CCPD, is running a assist the physics community in the career State University (SWT). The most impor- faculty, and a program is geared to train similar short course at this coming March development area. Currently over 125 phys- tant finding, according to Barrett Ripin and graduates with skills in high demand by Meeting. CCPD is studying the pros and ics departments have designated Liaisons, a Bo Hammer, who initiated the program local semiconductor businesses. cons of establishing an accreditation sys- number that is rapidly growing. The Liaison and were, respectively, the APS and AIP Still another way that the Society is ac- tem for physics departments or for special program is open to all physics departments representatives, was that “good teaching tively trying to provide career degree programs. at all degree levels, BS through PhD granting counts.” The report of the visit, which is development is through continuing edu- The current chair of CCPD, Diandra institutions. Of course, there is a wide spec- accessible through the online version of cation for physicists in topics normally not Leslie-Pelecky ([email protected]) is very trum of information to cover these very this APS News issue and the CPDL website, part of the a degree program. For instance, much interested in hearing your reactions diverse needs. If your department has not went on to note that the SWT’s enroll- the APS sponsored a short course on Man- to these initiatives as well as other sug- yet designated a Liaison, then consider en- ment did not decline as many other had agement Problems of the Technical Person gestions of ways that the APS might help couraging the department chair to do so. over the past few years. Many students at the Centennial meeting in Atlanta. FIAP, improve career options for physicists. 6 February 2000 APS News Announcements
Y2K APS Fellowship Nomination Deadlines APS UNDERGRADUATE PHYSICS STUDENT COMPETITION For submittal information see: http://www.aps.org/fellowships DIVISIONS International Physics 04/01/2000 ▼ 2000 APKER AWARDS Astrophysics 05/01/2000 Industrial and Applied Atomic, Molecular, Physics 02/20/2000 For Outstanding Undergraduate Student Research in Physics Optical 02/15/2000 Education 04/15/2000 Endowed by Jean Dickey Apker, in memory of LeRoy Apker Biological Physics 04/01/2000 Chemical Physics 02/15/2000 TOPICAL GROUPS DESCRIPTION Computational Few Body Systems 04/01/2000 Two awards are normally made each year: One to a student attending an institution offering Physics 03/15/2000 Precision Meas. Fund. a Physics PhD and one to a student attending an institution not offering a Physics PhD • Recipients receive a $5,000 award; finalists $2,000. They also receive an allowance for Condensed Matter PAST Const. 04/01/2000 travel to the Award presentation. Fluid Dynamics 02/15/2000 Instruments • Recipients’ and finalists’ home institutions receive $5,000 and $1,000, respectively, to Polymer Physics 04/15/2000 & Measurement 04/01/2000 support undergraduate research. Laser Science 04/01/2000 Shock Compression 04/01/2000 • Recipients, finalists and their home physics departments will be presented with plaques Materials Physics 02/15/2000 Gravitation 04/01/2000 or certificates of achievement. The student’s home institution is prominently featured on Nuclear Physics 04/01/2000 Magnetism and Its all awards and news stories of the competition. Particles & Fields 04/01/2000 Applications 04/01/2000 • Each nominee will be granted a free APS Student Membership for one year upon receipt Physics of Beams 03/15/2000 Plasma Astrophysics 04/01/2000 of their completed application. Plasma Physics 04/01/2000 Statistical & QUALIFICATIONS Nonlinear Physics 04/01/2000 • Students who have been enrolled as undergraduates at colleges and universities in the FORUMS United States at least one quarter/semester during the year preceding the 16 June 2000 Physics & Society 04/01/2000 APS GENERAL 06/01/2000 deadline. History of Physics 04/01/2000 • Students who have an excellent academic record and have demonstrated exceptional potential for scientific research through an original contribution to physics. 2000 OPERATING AND BYLAWS COMMITTEES • Only one candidate may be nominated per department. APPLICATION PROCEDURE The complete nomination package is due on or before 16 June 2000 and should include: *See committee reports at http://www.aps.org/exec/bylaws/apptctes.html 1. A letter of nomination from the head of the student’s academic department *COMMITTEE ON CAREERS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Diandra 2. An official copy of the student’s academic transcript Leslie-Pelecky (Chair), Allen Goland, Vernita Gordon, David Elmore, Art Hebard, 3. A description of the original contribution, written by the student such as a Anthony Nero, Art Ramirez, Thomas Donnelly, Heather Galloway manuscript or reprint of a research publication or senior thesis (unbound) 4. A 1000-word summary, written by the student, describing his or her research AUDIT COMMITTEE: Robert Callendar (Chair), Howard Birnbaum, J. Dirk Walecka, 5. Two letters of recommendation from physicists who know the candidate’s Tom McIlrath individual contribution to the work submitted COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES: David Aspnes (Chair), Dan Auerbach, Eric Heller, 6. The nominee’s address and telephone number during the summer. Zachary Fisk, Andrew Lovinger, Virginia Trimble, Gloria Lubkin, Helen Quinn, FURTHER INFORMATION (See http://www.aps.org/praw/apker/descrip.html) Myriam Sarachik, Michael Turner DEADLINE COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS: Lynn Knutson (Chair), Robert Send name of proposed candidate and supporting information by 16 June 2000 to: Adair, Steve Baker, Ray Orbach, Ed Gerjuoy, Jim McGuire Dr. Alan Chodos, Administrator, Apker Award Selection Committee *COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION: Ken Hass (Chair), Don Madison, Andrea Palounek, The American Physical Society, One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD James Wynne, Ken Heller, Theodore Hodapp, Richard Saenz, Helen Quinn, Dan 20740-3844; Telephone: (301) 209-3268, Fax: (301) 209-3652, Dahlberg email: [email protected] EXECUTIVE BOARD: Jim Langer (Chair), George Trilling (Chair-Elect), William Brinkman (Vice-Chair), Jerome Friedman (Past Chair), Zachary Fisk, Jim Gates, Paul Peercy, Virginia Trimble, Arthur Hebard, Stephen Holt, Gloria Lubkin, Helen Membership Directory CD-ROM Quinn, Judy Franz, Tom McIlrath, Martin Blume APS will offer the 2000-2001 Membership Directory in paper FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE: William Brinkman (Chair), J. Dirk Walecka, Chris Quigg, or CD-ROM version to each member this year. If you would like Pat Mooney to receive the CD-ROM format, please email your request to COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL FREEDOM OF SCIENTISTS: Hugh DeWitt [email protected], phone 301-209-3280 or fax 301-209-0867 (Chair), Rudolph Hwa, Joel Lebowitz, Theodore Lavine, Anne Kernan, Vladimir by February 29, 2000. The default will be to receive Zelevinsky, Jianping Lu, Dan Mattis, Andreas Albrecht the paper version. *COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AFFAIRS: Bernd Crasemann (Chair), José Boldu, David Ernst, Kennedy Reed, Shang Fen Ren, Karl Erb, Tom Visit the APS Online Member Directory Ferbel, Myriam Sarachik, Peter Barnes, David Lockwood (www.aps.org/memb/enter-directory.html). INVESTMENT COMMITTEE: Richard Newrock (Chair), Robert Lourie, William Brinkman, Charles Duke, Tom McIlrath, Judy Franz *COMMITTEE ON MEETINGS: David Cassel (Chair), Paul Peercy, Tom Cohen, APS CENTENNIAL SYMPOSIA AND PLENARY Mary Ann Sweeney, Kate Kirby, Sam Bader, Tom McIlrath, Judy Franz SESSIONS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE! *COMMITTEE ON MEMBERSHIP: James Maher (Chair), Matt Richter, Judy Franz, Tom O’Neill, Erich Vogt, Bernie Meyerson, Philip Bucksbaum, Ron Armale, Don Nearly all of the APS Centennial symposia and plenary sessions featured at Hamann, Bill Hermannsfeldt the Centennial meeting in March in Atlanta are now available on a new APS *COMMITTEE ON MINORITIES: Lawrence Norris (Chair), Clayton Bates, Sergio Centennial Website: www.apscenttalks.org. Using RealPlayer G2, users can listen Ulloa, Bunny Clark, Jim Gates, Pamela Lucas, Fernando Ponce, Mary Mandich to featured lectures and panel discussions online while viewing the speaker’s visual materials (where available). Speaker biographies and photos (again, where NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Michael Turner (Chair), Jerome Friedman, Barbara available) are included for each talk. Presentations are sorted into three categories: Jones, Miles Klein, Daniel Kleppner, Bunny Clark, Cliff Surko, Charles Duke, by session, speaker, and date of presentation. The site also provides a Photo Ellen Zweibel, Curtis Callen Gallery from the Centennial Celebration, along with links to other related physics *PANEL ON PUBLIC AFFAIRS: Roberta Saxon (Chair), Denis McWhan, William Web sites, instructions for downloading RealPlayer G2, and contact information Frazer, Henry Abarbanel, Howard Birnbaum, Neville Connell, John Cramer, John for the APS. Doyle, Elsa Garmire, Barry Klein, Michael Riordan, Lawrence Schwartz, Marc Sher, William Brinkman, Jim Tsang, Robert Richardson, Larry Krause, Fred Lamb, Lisbeth Gronlund, Bill Edelstein, L. Craig Davis CAUGHT IN THE WEB *PHYSICS PLANNING COMMITTEE: Robert Richardson (Chair), Roberta Saxon, Notable information on the World Wide Web Katharine Gebbie, Gerald Iafrate, Beverly Hartline, Burt Richter, Martha Krebs, Jerry Yonas, George Trilling, Praveen Chaudhari, Hermann Grunder, Venky Online Centennial Symposia Talks: www.apscenttalks.org Narayanmurti, Lee Riedinger, Jerry Friedman March Meeting: www.aps.org/meet/MAR00 *PUBLICATIONS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE: Ron Walsworth (Chair), Phil Allen, April Meeting: www.aps.org/meet/APR00 (after 14 Feb., 2000) Allen Chodos, Chris Quigg, Katepalli Sreenivasan, Mark Riley, David Aspnes, A Century of Physics timeline: timeline.aps.org Beverly Berger, Martin Blume, Judy Franz, Tom McIlrath Physics Limericks: www.aps.org/apsnews/limericks.html (Yahoo! cited) *COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN IN PHYSICS: Beverly Berger (Chair), Amazon Books: www.aps.org/memb/amazon Neil Abraham, Barbara Whitten, Elizabeth Beise, David Wolfe, Alice White, Cha- 100 Years of the APS - Exhibit & History: www.aps.org/apsnews/history.html Mei Tan, Barbara Jones, Megan Urry
7 APS News February 2000 THE BACK PAGE The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and US National Security by Richard L. Garwin
n October 13, 1999, the US Senate chain reaction, sufficient fission yield is gen- TA-55, has now produced a developmen- Ovoted against approving the erated to ignite the contained D-T, which tal pit, and will soon be able to manufacture Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty by a “boosts” the primary yield to a level such at a rate of 20 or perhaps 50 pits per year. vote of 51 to 48. Senate advice to ratify that thermal x rays carry much of the fission I have long advocated a facility that would would have required 67 votes. Signed in energy to implode the secondary capsule. A produce 300 pits per year, but the need September 1996, the CTBT had lain radiation case of high-Z material contains the for such a facility has nothing to do with a before the Senate for two years with no thermal radiation long enough for this to hap- CTBT. committee action or report, before being pen. Most of the energy release of the nuclear Opposition to the CTBT in part stemmed scheduled abruptly for a vote within 11 package comes from the fusion fuel and the from a reluctance to accept any constraints days. The Administration and its Senate neutron-induced fission in the surrounding on activities of the US, which is the world’s supporters, whatever the merit of their U-235 or U-238 elements of the secondary. preeminent military power. Specifically, one case, were outfoxed by the opposition. US nuclear explosions were used for might want at some time in the future to Yet the CTBT is greatly in the US security development of new-type weapons, for design nuclear weapons for new purposes interest. Even opponents of the CTBT gen- production verification tests after a stock- or optimize them for a different missile, and erally support the Nonproliferation Treaty, pile of such weapons had been begun, that cannot confidently be done and proved extended indefinitely in 1995, that binds for weapons effects tests on other systems, without nuclear explosion testing. Beyond parties with nuclear weapons from transfer- for investigation of “Peaceful uses of that, it was argued that other powers might ring them or knowledge to build them, to Nuclear Explosions” ( PNEs), and on phys- cheat, so that their explosions could not be non-nuclear weapon states (NNWS), while ics experiments. Among these are the detected or identified as nuclear explosions Richard L. Garwin binding Parties who are NNWS not to ac- creation of super-heavy nuclei, and the via the IMS, with its goal of detecting one quire nuclear weapons. A condition of that exploration of pellet fusion to guide the kiloton of underground explosive yield any- much more conservative approach that extension was the negotiation of a CTBT that laboratory Inertial Confinement Fusion where in the world. Finally, there is the charge would remanufacture weapons when their would forbid nuclear test explosions by program. There have been rare tests to that one cannot in fact maintain the stock- nuclear components began to exceed the Nuclear Weapon States and by non-mem- qualify a nuclear replacement or modifi- pile safe and reliable over the decades range of parameters in newly manufac- bers of the NPT such as India, Pakistan, and cation to solve a stockpile problem without nuclear testing either for finding prob- tured weapons. Of course, all non-nuclear Israel. As signed, the CTBT bans every identified in the surveillance activity. No lems or validating fixes. components such as radars, batteries, ca- nuclear explosion, of whatever yield — it is problem with stockpile aging has even Even in 1945, the US did not test its gun- pacitors, etc., can be upgraded and fully a “zero threshold” ban on nuclear explosions, been identified in a nuclear test, although assembled U-235 fission weapon before using tested as well under a CTBT as in the pres- and a permanent treaty. It creates an Inter- many aging problems are found in sur- it on Hiroshima, and a newly nuclear nation ence of nuclear testing. The problem national Monitoring System (IMS), mandating veillance and repaired in weapons of the in 2000 probably would not need to test ei- comes down to whether the laboratories cooperation of the parties in the emplace- afflicted type. ther. A conservative military establishment will have the discipline to reject modifica- ment of seismic sensors, hydroacoustic Safety of nuclear weapons refers prima- would probably desire a test of a gun-type tions of processes in the manufacture of sensors, detectors of atmospheric infrasound, rily to the prevention of accidental nuclear weapon and certainly of a plutonium implo- the nuclear components likely to impair and sensors for radioactive particulates and detonations from lightning or other accidents sion weapon. Beyond that, even an advanced confidence in stockpile reliability. gases from explosions. It provides also for involving a nuclear weapon. The Sandia Na- power would have difficulty being confident Do I have perfect confidence in the reli- on-site inspections (OSI) of events identified tional Laboratories provides the Enhanced of a new-design two-stage radiation implo- ability of our stockpile? I have more by the IMS, and it permits parties to bring Nuclear Detonation Safety (ENDS) system, sion system, such as that demonstrated by confidence than I did in 1992 in the days of non-IMS evidence, such as that obtained from as well as means to prevent unauthorized the US November 1, 1952. nuclear testing. A recent (November 8, 1999) general intelligence sources. The CTBT can- detonation of a nuclear weapon. As for cheating, the existing seismic Panel report on the reliability of the US not enter into force until 44 specified countries US nuclear weapons have been devel- array in Scandinavia readily detects explo- nuclear stockpile, mandated by Congress, sign and ratify. Once a state signs, under con- oped also to be one-point safe, so that sions at the level of a few tons at the recommends inter alia, “To hedge against ventional international law it should not test detonation of the high-explosive of the pri- Russian test site in Novaya Zemlya, and future uncertainties, the Stockpile Stew- unless it declares that it has no intention of mary component of the nuclear weapon at could detect a fully-decoupled explosion ardship Program should include the ability pursuing ratification. a single point will not produce a significant in a large cavity at a level of 0.25 kilotons. to replicate or design replacement nuclear The US has conducted more than 1000 nuclear yield: either zero or (by design) less A JASON Report to the Department of weapons, for our most critical nuclear sys- nuclear explosions and has about 10,000 than two pounds of high explosive, com- Energy notes that a yield of about ten ki- tems, that will nuclear weapons. The Soviet Union, with pared with a typical 100 kilotons of design lotons would be required to accommodate • Have a long shelf life some 6000 ready strategic weapons and yield. Nuclear tests were essential in verify- the typical full-scale primary output and a • Be at least as safe as current weapons perhaps 18,000 total, could destroy not only ing one point safety of the designs in the telltale secondary yield. On balance, my • Provide a high degree of confidence the US but much of the civilized world — stockpile, but never need be redone. Nor personal testimony is that explosions that that the weapons are acceptably reli- hence the long-standing US interest in re- have nuclear tests ever been used to estab- escape the IMS with high probability are able without full-scale nuclear testing ducing the number of deployed strategic lish reliability of the nuclear components, not of military significance to the US. Even • Be manufacturable nuclear weapons and ultimately the number which the laboratories have always assumed those who do see military significance in But if such new-design weapons are of nuclear weapons of all types. The NPT and stated to be 1.0. Such reliability is estab- such small tests do not advocate US nuclear mandated under a CTBT, that will surely has played a major role in holding the num- lished through design and inspection, together testing in return, so that is not properly a cause a lack of confidence in the nuclear ber of states possessing nuclear weapons to with replacement or remanufacturing of parts. CTBT issue. stockpile. One can clearly far more readily eight instead of the dozens foreseen within The Pentagon and the directors of the Weapons with fire-resistant pits and so- remanufacture weapons of existing type a decade in the 1960s. nuclear weapons laboratories support the called insensitive high explosive (IHE) than certify weapons of a new design. Since 1992, the US has had a moratorium CTBT as signed, when integrated with a pack- constitute a portion of the stockpile. Stock- In summary, with a continuation of the on nuclear testing, signed by President Bush age of six safeguards. One of these is an pile safety could be further enhanced by long-standing stockpile surveillance pro- and passed by large majorities in both Houses. ongoing $4.5 billion annual Science-Based redesign. But in fact the armed services in gram and the weapon manufacturing Both Bush and Clinton have stated that we Stockpile Stewardship Program (SBSSP). Safe- the early 1990s explicitly rejected modifica- capability that is needed in any case, the have no need for nuclear weapons of new guard F, as modified during the negotiations tions that would require testing, even though enhancements to the program will pro- types and no need for nuclear tests. Under surrounding the Senate vote in October 1999, 15 such tests were available under the US vide a more reliable weapon stockpile these circumstances, there is annual certifi- states that the President will resume testing moratorium. So the remaining question is that than the United States has ever had in the cation by the Secretaries of Energy and if a nuclear weapon type in the enduring of maintaining the stockpile reliable indefi- past. It would be folly to reject the CTBT Defense that each of the ten types of weap- stockpile, critical to US security, could not be nitely. In addition to the component and thus fail to erect a barrier to the acqui- ons in the enduring stockpile continues to certified safe and reliable without test. Part of surveillance, US bombs and missile warheads sition by others of effective thermonuclear be safe and reliable. Enabling this certifica- the SSP is the creation of new facilities for are subject to Joint Test Flights, in which the weapons, in order to permit the US to tion is a long-standing surveillance program, computation, including the Accelerated Stra- plutonium is removed, but almost all of the make further improvements in its already by which nuclear weapons are drawn from tegic Computing Initiative, the Dual Axis rest of the warhead or bomb is exercised, highly advanced stockpile. the stockpile at random — 11 of each type, Hydrodynamic Radiographic Test facility, and right to explosion. These give vital informa- annually — and carefully inspected. the National Ignition Facility (NIF). tion and will continue to be conducted. Even Richard L. Garwin is an IBM Fellow Each US nuclear weapon consists of a But the ability to act on the basis of without a CTBT, they could not be conducted Emeritus at the Thomas J. Watson Research primary fission explosive — a metal- stockpile assessment has not kept pace as nuclear explosion in the atmosphere un- Center. He contributed to the development sheathed plutonium shell surrounded by high with the assessment process. For instance, der the Limited Test Ban Treaty of 1973. of fission fusion weapons beginning in 1950 explosive and arranged to be filled with deu- the US has had no ability to manufacture The SBSSP will provide increasingly at Los Alamos, and has been a consultant terium-tritium (D-T) gas when it is imploded or remanufacture the sealed metal primary good knowledge of the performance of to the nuclear weapon laboratories to the by that explosive. Upon implosion and the “pits” since Rocky Flats, Colorado, was geriatric weapons, with deeper and deeper present day. His testimony of 10/07/99 can provision of neutrons for starting the fission closed in 1989. Los Alamos in its facility at wrinkles. I have always recommended a be found online at http://www.fas.org/rlg.
APS News welcomes and encourages letters and submissions from its members responding to these and other issues. Responses may be sent to: [email protected].
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