Rabi, Isidor I.

Description

Type:  Signed card
Description: (1898-1988) Polish-Jewish born physicist, awarded 1944 Nobel Prize for Physics for discovery of nuclear magnetic resonance, used in magnetic resonance imaging, and involved in development of the cavity magnetron, used in microwave radar and microwave ovens.

Raised in New York’s Lower East Side, entered Cornell as electrical engineering student 1916, switched to chemistry, later interested in physics. Continued studies at Columbia University, awarded doctorate for thesis on magnetic susceptibility of certain crystals. He met and worked with many of finest physicists in Europe 1927-29, offered Columbia faculty position on return.

With Gregory Breit, developed Breit-Rabi equation and predicted the Stern–Gerlach experiment could be modified to confirm atomic nucleus  properties. Developed techniques for using nuclear magnetic resonance to discern magnetic moment and nuclear spin of atoms which led to 1944 Nobel Prize for Physics. Nuclear magnetic resonance became important for nuclear physics and chemistry, subsequent development of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) important to medicine as well. During WW II, worked on radar at MIT Radiation Laboratory and on Manhattan Project. Postwar, served on Atomic Energy Commission General Advisory Committee (GAC), chairman 1952-56. He served on Science Advisory Committee (SAC) of Office of Defense Mobilization, Science Advisor to President Eisenhower. Involved with 1946 establishment of Brookhaven National Laboratory, and later, as US delegate to UNESCO, with 1952 creation of CERN, European Organization for Nuclear Research.

When Columbia created rank of University Professor 1964, Rabi first to receive such chair, special chair named for him 1985. Retired from teaching 1967, Professor Emeritus and Special Lecturer to his death. He was portrayed by actor David Krumholtz in 2023 film “Oppenheimer”.

3 ¼ x 4 ¾ light brown card signed “Isidor I. Rabi” from lower left to top right, placed (removable) with glossy white 11 x 8 ½ colorfully printed  “Makers of the Atomic Bomb –Manhattan Project” card with his portrait at top left and printed description of his work background. Handsome presentation!

Condition: Very good