Discovering Alvarez

Luis W. Alvarez has had a breathtakingly varied and important career of discovery, adventure, and invention. The winner of the 1968 Nobel Prize in physics for his work on subatomic particles, Alvarez participated as a scientific observer of the Hiroshima bombing mission, formulated the asteroid theory of dinosaur extinctions, discovered the radioactivity of tritium, took x-rays of the Second Pyramid at Giza, designed the Berkeley proton linear accelerator, first observed fundamental particle resonances, created the variable-focus thin lens, analyzed the Kennedy assassination film, and invented the Ground Control Approach radar system for airplane landings, to name but a few of his experiences and accomplishments. Discovering Alvarez collects articles by this innovative physicist, documenting his outstanding contributions. The articles, which span his career, are accompanied by a remarkable collection of commentary by the colleagues and students who worked closely with Alvarez on each project or discovery.

Ever Wondered If You're Psychic? Discover Your Intuitive Abilities Now! Recognize and enhance your natural intuitive talents with this essential guide, which is specially designed to strengthen your psychic edge in daily life. With an easy, conversational tone, professional intuitive Melissa Alvarez helps you find where your skills and interests lie within the psychic and metaphysical worlds. Your Psychic Self is great for beginners or as an all-around reference. This valuable manual shows you the various ways psychic ability can manifest, and also teaches how you can work with these abilities. Inside this book you'll discover: How to identify signs of psychic intuition and experiences How to protect yourself from negative influences Practice exercises and techniques to develop your abilities in everyday life Types of intuitive communication and spirit beings with whom you can connect Praise for Your Psychic Self: "This comprehensive reference book contains excellent information to help anyone—regardless of their degree of expertise—to recognize, enhance, harness, and clarify their intuitive abilities."—Tess Whitehurst, author of The Good Energy Book and The Art of Bliss "This book covers all aspects of intuitive abilities. Perfect for the inquisitive beginner."—Elizabeth Owens, author of Spiritualism and Clairvoyance for Beginners

Annotation This Encyclopedia examines all aspects of the history of science in the United States with a special emphasis placed on the historiography of science in America. Contains more than 500 entries written by experts in the field.

Profiles more than 150 scientists from around the world who made important contributions to the field of physics, including John Bardeen, Marie Curie, Robert Hooke, Lise Meitner, and Chien-Shiung Wu.

The first edition of Engines of Discovery celebrated in words, images and anecdotes the accelerators and their constructors that culminated in the discovery of the Higgs boson. But even before the Higgs was discovered, before the champagne corks popped and while the television producers brushed up their quantum mechanics, a new wave of enthusiasm for accelerators to be applied for more practical purposes was gaining momentum. Almost all fields of human endeavour will be enhanced by this trend: energy conservation, medical diagnostics and treatment, national security, as well as industrial processing. Accelerators have been used most spectacularly to reveal the structure of the complex molecules that determine our metabolism and life. For every accelerator chasing the Higgs, there are now ten thousand serving other purposes. It is high time to move from abstract mathematics and philosophy to the practical needs of humankind. It is the aim of this revised and expanded edition to describe this revolution in a manner which will attract the young, not only to apply their curiosity to the building blocks of matter but to help them contribute to the improvement of the quality of life itself on this planet. As always, the authors have tried to avoid lengthy mathematical description. In describing a field which reaches out to almost all of today's cutting edge technology, some detailed explanation cannot be avoided but this has been confined to sidebars. References guide experts to move on to the journal Reviews of Accelerator Science and Technology and other publications for more information. But first we would urge every young physicist, teacher, journalist and politician to read this book. Contents:Electrostatic AcceleratorsCyclotronsLinear AcceleratorsBetatronsSynchrotronsCollidersNeutrino Super Beams, Neutrino Factories and Muon CollidersDetectorsHigh-Energy and Nuclear PhysicsSynchrotron Radiation SourcesIsotope Production and Cancer Therapy AcceleratorsSpallation Neutron SourcesAccelerators in Industry and ElsewhereNational SecurityEnergy and the EnvironmentA Final Word — Mainly to the Young Readership: Scientists, research physicists, engineers and administrators at accelerator laboratories; general readers; undergraduates and graduates in physics, electrical engineering and the history of science. Keywords:Particle Accelerators;Physics;Engineering;History;International;Synchrotron;Collider;Linac;Radiation TreatmentReviews: “This updated edition of Engines of Discovery convincingly demonstrates that ‘a century of particle accelerators’ is still progressing, and the history of these ingenious machines will span centuries. A fascinating story of inventions and breakthroughs, presented to us by two prominent scientists, takes the reader through a mesmerising gallery of revolutionary developments in accelerator science and technology. The book is a wonderful source of inspiration and will be a great companion to the young and curious who, undoubtedly, will be the ones to make new breakthroughs and new discoveries in the future.” Professor Andrei A Seryi Director, John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science University of Oxford, Royal Holloway University of London and Imperial College London “Andrew Sessler's and Edmund Wilson's history of accelerators is a rich tapestry illustrating an intellectual adventure story with its own heroes, dramas, competitions, and even missteps and a few villains. They explain the imaginative physical and engineering insights that accelerator pioneers have employed to make modern accelerators engines of commerce and engines of well being as well as the quintessential engines of discovery. They describe this human enterprise in language that is easily accessible to the layman. Their book is lavishly illustrated with photographs of ground-breaking machines and their applications from the dawn of the accelerator age to the present.” William A Barletta USPAS Director Adjunct Professor of Physics, MIT & UCLA Visiting Professor of Economics, Univ. of Ljubljana “Accelerators have become essential tools in many areas of research, ranging from medicine through biology, chemistry and physics to archaeology. They also play vital roles in medicine and industry. Sessler and Wilson's wide-ranging history of the development of accelerators and their uses will appeal to everyone with an interest in how science and technology progress. They provide an insiders' perspective, illustrated by a wealth of anecdotes and sketches of engineers and scientists who have advanced the state of the art. Their book will enlighten and entertain experts as well as general readers.” Professor Sir Chris Llewellyn Smith FRS Director of Energy Research Oxford University President of the Council of SESAME (Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East), and Director General of CERN (1994–98) “In this revised edition of Engines of Discovery, the authors have substantially expanded their text on accelerators. From principles to applications reaching deep into the specialized fields involving dedicated accelerators, the book describes the history and the state of the art of accelerator-based facilities used by experimental scientists worldwide. In particular the applications of accelerators in research and industry, medicine and security systems highlight the important role of accelerators and their vast impact on our daily life.” Norbert Holtkamp Associate Laboratory Director, Accelerator Directorate SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford “This book will stand as part of Andrew Sessler's legacy to future generations. The hope is that it will inspire budding young scientists and engineers today, for they are the future of the field.” Christine Sutton CERN “In conclusion, the book offers a very pleasant trip in the world of accelerators and applications, putting particular emphasis on the facilities designed and realized to give answers to common life questions.” Il Nuovo Saggiatore

The history of the United States is made by many extraordinary individuals who gave significat contributions to this country. Many of them are of Hispanic origin and their achievements have not been exposed to the general public. Spanish-Americans highlights the deeds of many Hispanic figures who have made significant accomplishments in this land before it became independent and after its independence. Among them, the reader will find explorers, scholars, mossionaries, sailors, politicians, sciientist, artists, athletes, etc. Each biography gives hte background of each person, the main achievement and other important aspects of the individual's life. As one reads eack fascinating biography, one can glance at the picture of the person, giving the feeling of his (or her) presence. Spanish-Americans provides an additional one hundred profiles of other extraordinary individuals who merit being remembered for their achievements. Abundant historical sources and related bibliography are provided, accompanied by an alphbetical list of names.

This book takes the readers through the science behind particle accelerators, colliders and detectors: the physics principles that each stage of the development of particle accelerators helped to reveal, and the particles they helped to discover. The book culminates with a description of the Large Hadron Collider, one of the world’s largest and most complex machines operating in a 27-km circumference tunnel near Geneva. The book provides the material honestly without misrepresenting the science for the sake of excitement or glossing over difficult notions. The principles behind each type of accelerator is made accessible to the undergraduate student and even to a lay reader with cartoons, illustrations and metaphors. Simultaneously, the book also caters to different levels of reader’s background and provides additional materials for the more interested or diligent reader.