Physics Professor Honored

Physics professor John Thomas, who recently moved his research program from Duke University, has won the Jesse W. Beams Award, given by the Southeastern Section of the American Physical Society for significant and meritorious research.

Thomas’ continuing research is on Fermi gases, using ultracold lithium-6 atoms that interact strongly when exposed to a magnetic field.

The award is named for Jesse Wakefield Beams, a National Medal of Science winner whose many contributions to the field include constructing the first electron linear accelerator.

Three other NC State physics professors have won the Beams Award:

• Gerald Lucovsky-2009
• Jerzy Bernholc-2003
• Gary Mitchell-1997