Leon Cooper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leon Cooper
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Cooper in 2007
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Leon N. Kupchik
February 28, 1930 New York City, U.S.
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| Died | October 23, 2024 (aged 94) Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Columbia University (BA, MA, PhD) |
| Known for | Cooper pairs BCM theory BCS theory |
| Awards | John Jay Award (1985) Nobel Prize in Physics (1972) Comstock Prize in Physics (1968) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Physics |
| Institutions | Brown University |
| Doctoral advisor | Robert Serber |
Leon N. Cooper (born Kupchik; February 28, 1930 – October 23, 2024) was an American scientist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics. He is famous for helping to create the BCS theory of superconductivity. This theory explains how certain materials can conduct electricity perfectly, with no energy loss, at very low temperatures. He also helped discover something called a Cooper pair, which is important for understanding superconductivity.
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Early Life and Education
Leon N. Kupchik was born in The Bronx, New York City, on February 28, 1930. His family was Jewish. His father came to the United States from Belarus, and his mother was from Poland. When Leon was seven, his mother passed away. Later, his father changed the family's last name to Cooper.
Leon went to the Bronx High School of Science, a special school for students interested in science. He graduated in 1947. He then went to Columbia University, where he earned three degrees: a bachelor's degree in 1951, a master's degree in 1953, and a PhD in 1954.
Scientific Career and Discoveries
After finishing his studies, Cooper spent a year at the Institute for Advanced Study. He also taught at the University of Illinois and Ohio State University. In 1958, he joined Brown University, where he spent most of his career.
In 1974, Cooper became the Thomas J. Watson Sr. Professor of Science at Brown. He also started and directed the Institute for Brain and Neural Systems in 1973. This institute focused on how the brain works.
Artificial Intelligence Work
Along with his friend Charles Elbaum, Cooper started a technology company called Nestor. This company worked on finding ways to use artificial neural networks in real life. Artificial neural networks are computer systems designed to work a bit like the human brain. In 1994, Nestor, working with Intel, developed a special computer chip called the Ni1000 for neural networks.
Cooper also did research at other important places, including the Institute for Advanced Study and CERN in Switzerland. CERN is a huge laboratory where scientists study the smallest particles in the universe.
Personal Life
In 1969, Leon Cooper married Kay Allard. They had two children together. You might know a character named Sheldon Cooper from the TV show The Big Bang Theory. This character was partly named after Leon Cooper.
Leon Cooper passed away at his home in Providence, Rhode Island, on October 23, 2024, at the age of 94.
Awards and Recognitions
Leon Cooper received many honors for his important work in physics:
- He was a Fellow of the American Physical Society.
- He was also a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
- He became a member of the United States National Academy of Sciences.
- He was a research fellow for the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation from 1959 to 1966.
- He received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1972.
- In 1968, he shared the Comstock Prize in Physics with Dr. Schrieffer.
- He received the John Jay Award from Columbia College in 1985.
- He was given seven honorary doctorates, which are special degrees from universities.
See also
In Spanish: Leon N. Cooper para niños
- List of Jewish Nobel laureates
