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Sigve Tjøtta
Sigve Tjøtta 1966.jpg
Tjøtta in 1966
Born (1930-03-01)1 March 1930
Klepp, Norway
Died 28 August 2023(2023-08-28) (aged 93)
Alma mater University of Oslo
Brown University
Max Planck Institute
Occupation Mathematician
Spouse(s)
(m. 1964; her death 2017)
Scientific career
Fields Plasma,
Nonlinear acoustics,
Hydroacoustics,
Acoustic streaming
Institutions University of Bergen,
University of Texas

Sigve Tjøtta (born March 1, 1930 – died August 28, 2023) was a smart Norwegian mathematician. He spent his life studying complex math and physics. He was especially known for his work with sound and how it moves through water and other materials.

Early Life and Education

Sigve Tjøtta was born in Klepp, a town in Norway. He loved learning from a young age. He went to the University of Oslo and earned two important university degrees. He got his first degree in 1954 and a higher degree, called a doctorate, in 1960.

His doctoral research was about how sound waves can create special patterns. He also studied at Brown University in the United States and the Max Planck Institute in Germany. These were important places for science.

A Career in Mathematics

Sigve Tjøtta became a professor at the University of Bergen in 1963. He taught and researched applied mathematics. This is a type of math that helps solve real-world problems. He took over from another famous professor, Oddvar Bjørgum.

What Sigve Tjøtta Studied

Professor Tjøtta studied many interesting topics. His main areas of research included:

  • Plasma: This is a special state of matter, like a super-hot gas, found in stars and lightning.
  • Nonlinear acoustics: This is about how sound behaves in complex ways, not always in a straight line.
  • Hydroacoustics: This is the study of sound in water. It's important for things like sonar.
  • Acoustic streaming: This is about how sound waves can create currents or flows in liquids.

He also helped lead the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Bergen. He worked with important national science groups too. He even visited the University of Texas as a scholar.

Personal Life and Hobbies

Sigve Tjøtta married Jacqueline Naze in 1964. She was also a scientist and they worked together on many research projects. After they retired, they moved to Oslo.

One of Sigve Tjøtta's favorite hobbies was long-distance running. He found his love for running while studying in the United States. He was very good at it! When he was 66 years old, he ran a full marathon in just over three hours. At 75, he ran a half marathon in less than two hours. He stayed active and healthy.

Sigve Tjøtta passed away in August 2023, at the age of 93.

Awards and Recognition

Sigve Tjøtta received many awards for his important work.

  • He and his wife won a prize for their research in underwater acoustics from the French Academy of Sciences.
  • He was a fellow of the Acoustical Society of America. This means he was recognized as a top expert in sound.
  • He was also a member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.
  • In 2002, the King of Norway honored him. He was made a Knight, First Class, of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav. This is a very high honor in Norway.
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