Hannes Alfvén 165123 222667877 2008-06-30T14:54:49Z Mhaitham.shammaa 1608031 {{Infobox Scientist | name = Hannes Olof Gösta Alfvén | image = Hannes-alfven.jpg |imagesize = 180px | birth_date = {{birth date|1908|5|30|mf=y}} | birth_place = [[Norrköping]],[[Sweden]] | death_date = {{death date and age|1995|4|2|1908|5|30}} | death_place = [[Djursholm]], [[Sweden]] | field = [[plasma (physics)|Plasma physics]] | alma_mater = [[University of Uppsala]] | doctoral_students = | work_institution = [[University of Uppsala]] <br>[[Nobel Institute for Physics]] <br>[[Royal Institute of Technology]] <br>[[University of California, San Diego]] <br>[[University of Southern California]] | known_for = [[magnetohydrodynamics]] | prizes = {{nowrap|[[Nobel Prize in Physics]] (1970)}} }} '''Hannes Olof Gösta Alfvén''' ([[May 30]], [[1908]]; [[Norrköping]], [[Sweden]] &ndash; [[April 2]], [[1995]]; [[Djursholm]], [[Sweden]]) was a [[Sweden|Swedish]] [[plasma (physics)|plasma]] physicist and [[Nobel Prize in Physics|Nobel laureate]] for his work on the theory of [[magnetohydrodynamics]]. He was originally trained as an electrical power engineer and later moved to research and teaching in the fields of plasma physics. Alfvén made many contributions to plasma physics, including theories describing the behavior of [[aurora (astronomy)|aurora]]e, the [[Van Allen radiation belts]], the effect of [[Geomagnetic storm|magnetic storms]] on the [[Earth's magnetic field]], the terrestrial [[magnetosphere]], and the dynamics of plasmas in the [[Milky Way]] galaxy. ==Biography== In 1937, Alfvén argued that if [[plasma (physics)|plasma]] pervaded the universe, it could then carry electric currents capable of generating a galactic magnetic field.<ref>Hannes Alfvén, 1937 "Cosmic Radiation as an Intra-galactic Phenomenon", ''Ark. f. mat., astr. o. fys.'' 25B, no. 29.</ref> After winning the Nobel Prize for his works in [[magnetohydrodynamics]], he emphasized that: <blockquote>In order to understand the phenomena in a certain plasma region, it is necessary to map not only the magnetic but also the electric field and the electric currents. Space is filled with a network of currents which transfer energy and momentum over large or very large distances. The currents often pinch to filamentary or surface currents. The latter are likely to give space, as also interstellar and intergalactic space, a cellular structure.<ref>Hannes Alfvén, "[http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=1990ITPS...18....5A&amp;db_key=AST&amp;data_type=HTML&amp;format=&amp;high=42ca922c9c32555 Cosmology in the Plasma Universe: An Introductory Exposition]" (1990) ''IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science'' (ISSN 0093-3813), vol. 18, Feb. 1990, p. 5-10</ref></blockquote> His theoretical work on field-aligned electric currents in the aurora (based on earlier work by [[Kristian Birkeland]]) was confirmed by satellite observations, in 1974, resulting in the discovery of [[Birkeland current]]s. === Education === Alfvén received his PhD from the [[University of Uppsala]] in 1934. His thesis was titled "Investigations of the Ultra-short Electromagnetic Waves." === Early years === In 1934, Alfvén taught [[physics]] at both the [[University of Uppsala]] and the [[Nobel Institute for Physics]] in [[Stockholm]], [[Sweden]]. In 1940, he became professor of electromagnetic theory and electrical measurements at the [[Royal Institute of Technology]] in Stockholm. In 1945, he acquired the nonappointive position of Chair of Electronics. His title was changed to Chair of Plasma Physics in 1963. In 1954-1955, Alfvén was a Fulbright Scholar at the [[University of Maryland, College Park]]. In 1967, after leaving Sweden and spending time in the [[Soviet Union]], he moved to the [[United States]]. Alfvén worked in the departments of [[electrical engineering]] at both the [[University of California, San Diego]] and the [[University of Southern California]]. Alfvén considered himself an electrical engineer foremost. During his scientific career, prior to winning the [[Nobel Prize]], Alfvén was not generally recognized as a leading innovator in the scientific community (though they were using his work). He enjoyed the assertion that he was guilty of a fault or offence by the entry into areas not previously explored in [[astrophysics]] leveled by other [[cosmologist]]s and [[theoretician]]s.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} == Research, awards, and contributions == Alfvén's work was disputed for many years by the senior scientist in space physics, the [[United Kingdom|British]]-[[United States|American]] [[geophysics|geophysicist]] [[Sydney Chapman (astronomer)|Sydney Chapman]]. Alfvén's disagreements with Chapman stemmed in large part from trouble with the [[peer review]] system. Alfvén rarely benefited from the acceptance generally afforded senior scientists in [[scientific journal]]s. He once submitted a paper on the theory of [[magnetic storm]]s and [[auroral light|aurora]]s to the American journal [[Terrestrial Magnetism and Atmospheric Electricity]] and his paper was rejected on the ground that it did not agree with the theoretical calculations of conventional physics of the time. He was regarded as a person with [[fringe science|unorthodox opinion]]s in the field by many physicists,<ref>David J. Miller, Michel Hersen, ''[http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0471520683&id=sw9QeD-bvJgC&pg=PA10&lpg=PA10&dq=renegade+Nobel+Prize+winner+physicist+Hannes+Alfven&sig=1LCbXz0A1UVdjmiSdmAvcK327RM Research Fraud in the Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences]'' 1992. They describe the "renegade Nobel Prize winner physicist Hannes Alfvén"</ref> R. H. Stuewer noting that "... he remained an embittered outsider, winning little respect from other scientists even after he received the Nobel Prize..."<ref>RH Stuewer, ''[http://www.springerlink.com/link.asp?id=qg36424630186274 Book Reviews]'' (2006) ''Physics in Perspective'' Volume 8, No 1, March 2006, pp.104-112 Springer.</ref> and was often forced to publish his papers in obscure journals. Alfvén recalled: <blockquote>When I describe the [plasma phenomena] according to this formulism most referees do not understand what I say and turn down my papers. With the referee system which rules US science today, this means that my papers are rarely accepted by the leading US journals.<ref>Hannes Alfvén, "Memoirs of a Dissident Scientist", ''American Scientist'', May-June 1988, pp.249-251. Quoted in Joseph Paul Martino, ''[http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN1560000333&id=UdQBSffyTTwC&pg=PA131&lpg=PA131&vq=alfven&dq=alfven+unorthodox&sig=gkvPNCpUc_kwNu7hJW3jhVpNHTc Science Funding: Politics and Porkbarrel]'' 1992, Transaction Publishers, ISBN 1-56000-03303</ref></blockquote> He was awarded the [[Nobel Prize in Physics]] in 1970 for his work with [[magnetohydrodynamics]] (MHD). In 1988, Alfvén was awarded the [[Bowie medal]] by the [[American Geophysical Union]] for his work on [[comet]]s and [[Plasma (physics)|plasmas]] in the [[solar system]]. === Awards === Alfvén was also awarded: * [[Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society]] (1967) * Gold Medal of the [[Franklin Institute]] (1971) * [[Lomonosov Gold Medal]] of the [[Russian Academy of Science|USSR Academy of Sciences]] (1971) === Memberships === * [[Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences]] * [[Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences]] * [[Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers]] (life fellow) * [[European Physical Society]] * [[American Academy of Arts and Sciences]] * [[Yugoslav Academy of Sciences]] * [[Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs]] * [[International Academy of Science]] Alfvén was one of the few scientists who was a foreign member of both the [[United States National Academy of Sciences|United States]] and [[Russian Academy of Science|Soviet]] Academies of Sciences. == Research == Alfvén played a central role in the development of: * [[Plasma physics]] * [[Charged particle beam]]s * [[Interplanetary physics]] * [[Magnetospheric physics]] * [[Magnetohydrodynamics]] * [[:Category:Solar phenomena|Solar phenomena]] investigation (such as the [[solar wind]]) * [[Aurora (astronomy)|Aurorae science]] In 1939, Alfvén proposed the theory of [[geomagnetic storm|magnetic storm]]s and auroras and the theory of [[Plasma (physics)|plasma dynamics]] in the [[earth]]'s [[magnetosphere]]. Applications of Alfvén's research in space science include: * [[Van Allen radiation belt]] theory * Reduction of the [[Earth's magnetic field]] during [[magnetic storm]]s * [[Magnetosphere]] (protective plasma covering the earth) * Formation of [[comet]] tails * Formation of the [[solar system]] * [[Astrophysical plasma|Dynamics of plasmas in the galaxy]] * [[Fundamental nature of the universe]] Alfvén's views followed those of the founder of magnetospheric physics, [[Kristian Birkeland]]. At the end of the [[nineteenth century]], Birkeland proposed (backed by extensive data) that electric currents flowing down along the earth's magnetic fields into the atmosphere caused the aurora and polar magnetic disturbances. Areas of technology benefiting from Alfvén's contributions include: * [[Particle beam accelerator]]s * Controlled [[thermonuclear fusion]] * [[Hypersonic flight]] * [[Rocket]] propulsion * [[Atmospheric reentry|Reentry]] braking of [[space vehicle]]s Contributions to astrophysics: * Galactic magnetic field (1937) * Identified nonthermal [[synchrotron radiation]] from astronomical sources (1950) [[Alfvén wave]]s (low [[frequency]] hydromagnetic [[Plasma (physics)|plasma]] [[oscillator|oscillations]]) are named in his honor. Many of his theories about the solar system were verified as late as the 1980s through external measurements of cometary and planetary magnetospheres. But Alfvén himself noted that astrophysical textbooks poorly represented known plasma phenomena: <blockquote>A study of how a number of the most used textbooks in astrophysics treat important concepts such as [[Double layer (plasma)|double layers]], [[critical ionization velocity|critical velocity]], [[pinch effect]]s, and circuits is made. It is found that students using these textbooks remain essentially ignorant of even the existence of these concepts, despite the fact that some of them have been well known for half a century (e.g, double layers, Langmuir, 1929; pinch effect, Bennet, 1934).<ref>Hannes Alfvén, "[http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=1986ITPS...14..779A&amp;db_key=AST&amp;data_type=HTML&amp;format=&amp;high=42ca922c9c02197 Double layers and circuits in astrophysics]" (1986) ''IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science'' (ISSN 0093-3813), vol. PS-14, Dec. 1986, p. 779-793.</ref></blockquote> Alfvén reported that of 17 of the most used textbooks on astrophysics, none mention the pinch effect, none mentioned critical ionization velocity, only two mentioned circuits, and three mentioned double layers. == Alfvén's cosmological model == {{main|plasma cosmology}} Alfvén believed the problem with the Big Bang was that astrophysicists tried to extrapolate the origin of the universe from [[mathematical theory|mathematical theories]] developed on the blackboard, rather than starting from known observable phenomena. He also considered the Big Bang to be a scientific [[mythology|myth]] devised to explain creation.<ref> Hannes Alfvén, Cosmology—Myth or Science? ''J Astrophysics and Astronomy'', vol. 5, pp. 79-98, (1984).</ref> Alfvén and colleagues proposed the [[Alfvén-Klein model]] as an alternative [[physical cosmology|cosmological]] theory to both the [[Big Bang]] and [[steady state theory]] cosmologies. == Later years == <!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[image:0408_101.jpg|thumb|200px|Hannes Alfvén]] --> In 1991, Alfvén retired as professor of electrical engineering at the [[University of California, San Diego]] and professor of [[plasma physics]] at the [[Royal Institute of Technology]] in Stockholm. Alfvén spent his adult life alternating between [[California]] and [[Sweden]]. He died at the age of 86. The [[asteroid]] [[1778 Alfvén]] was named in his honour. == Personal life == Alfvén had a good sense of [[humor]] and he participated in a variety of social issues and [[worldwide disarmament movement]]s. He had a long-standing distrust of [[computer]]s. Alfvén studied the [[history of science]] and [[oriental philosophy]] and [[religion]]. He spoke [[Swedish language|Swedish]], [[English language|English]], [[German language|German]], [[French language|French]], and [[Russian language|Russian]], and some [[Spanish language|Spanish]] and [[Chinese language|Chinese]].The relationship betrween Hans-Jürgen Treder and Hannes Alfven and his own has been discussed by Wilfried Schröder in detail. Topics are problems in cosmology, Alfven was also interested in all aspects of auroral physics and has been used Schröder's wellknown book on aurora (Das Phänomen des Polarlichts) because he was fluently in German.Letters of Alfven and Treder and Schröder has been published in Festschrift Hans-Jürgen Treder on the occassion of his 70th birtday (Bremen: Science Edition). A long paper on changes in auroral theories has been published by wilfried schröder in honour of Hannes Alfven's 8oth birthday (Gerlands Beiträge zur Geophysik, 1988). Alfvén was married for 67 years to his wife Kirsten. They raised five children, one boy and four girls. His son became a physician, while one daughter became a writer and another a lawyer in Sweden. The composer [[Hugo Alfvén]] was Hannes Alfvén's uncle. == Bibliography == [http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-abs_connect?db_key=AST&sim_query=YES&aut_xct=NO&aut_req=YES&aut_logic=OR&obj_logic=OR&author=Alfv%C3%A9n%2C+H.&object=&start_mon=&start_year=&end_mon=&end_year=&ttl_logic=OR&title=&txt_logic=AND&text=&nr_to_return=100&start_nr=1&jou_pick=ALL&ref_stems=&data_and=NO&article=YES&gif_link=YES&group_and=ALL&start_entry_day=&start_entry_mon=&start_entry_year=&end_entry_day=&end_entry_mon=&end_entry_year=&min_score=&sort=SCORE&data_type=SHORT&aut_syn=YES&ttl_syn=YES&txt_syn=YES&aut_wt=1.0&obj_wt=1.0&ttl_wt=0.3&txt_wt=3.0&aut_wgt=YES&obj_wgt=YES&ttl_wgt=YES&txt_wgt=YES&ttl_sco=YES&txt_sco=YES&version=1 Full List] *[http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1950coel.book.....A Cosmical Electrodynamics], International Series of Monographs on Physics, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1950. (See also 2nd Ed. 1963, co-authored with Carl-Gunne Fälthammar) *Worlds-Antiworlds: Antimatter in Cosmology (1966) *The Great Computer: A Vision (1968) (a political-scientific satire under the pen name Olof Johannesson; publ. Gollancz, ISBN 05750-0059-7) *Atom, Man, and the Universe: A Long Chain of Complications (1969) *Living on the Third Planet (1972). *[http://www.springer.com/west/home/physics?SGWID=4-10100-22-33598597-0 Cosmic Plasma], Astrophysics and Space Science Library, Vol. 82 (1981) Springer Verlag. ISBN 90-277-1151-8 ==References== {{Reflist}} == External links == {{wikiquote}} * [http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1970/ Hannes Alfvén at the Nobel Foundation], inc. Biography, Nobel lecture and Banquet speech * [http://public.lanl.gov/alp/plasma/people/alfven.html Hannes Alfvén biography] ([[Los Alamos]]) * [http://www.alfvenlab.kth.se/hannes.html Hannes Alfvén biography] ([[Royal Institute of Technology]] in Stockholm, Sweden) * [http://www.aps-pub.com/proceedings/1504/150412.pdf Hannes Alfvén Biographical Memoirs] (Proceedings of the [[American Philosophical Society]]) * [http://orpheus.ucsd.edu/speccoll/testing/html/mss0225a.html Papers of Hannes Olof Gosta Alfvén] * [http://www.copernicus.org/EGU/egs/award6n.htm Hannes Alfvén Medal] - awarded for outstanding scientific contributions towards the understanding of plasma processes in the solar system and other cosmical plasma environments * Timeline of Nobel Prize Winners: [http://www.nobel-winners.com/Physics/hannes_olof_gosta_alfven.html Hannes Olof Gosta Alfvén] * [http://orpheus.ucsd.edu/speccoll/testing/html/mss0225a.html Hannes Alfvén Papers] (1945 - 1991) in the Mandeville Special Collections Library. * {{ScienceWorldBiography | urlname=Alfven | title=Alfvén, Hannes (1908-1995)}} * [http://adsabs.harvard.edu//full/seri/QJRAS/0037//0000259.000.html QJRAS Obituary '''37''' (1996) 259] * [http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=1942StoAn..14....2A&amp;db_key=AST&amp;data_type=HTML&amp;format=&amp;high=42ca922c9c23043 On the cosmogony of the solar system I] (1942) | [http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=1942StoAn..14....5A&amp;db_key=AST&amp;data_type=HTML&amp;format=&amp;high=42ca922c9c23043 Part II] | [http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=1942StoAn..14....9A&amp;db_key=AST&amp;data_type=HTML&amp;format=&amp;high=42ca922c9c23043 Part III] * [http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1958IAUS....6..284A&db_key=AST&link_type=ABSTRACT&high=42ca922c9c23043 Interplanetary Magnetic Field] (1958) * [http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1961ApJ...133.1049A&db_key=AST&link_type=ABSTRACT&high=42ca922c9c23043 On the Origin of Cosmic Magnetic Fields] (1961) * [http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1963IAUS...16...35A&db_key=AST&link_type=ABSTRACT&high=42ca922c9c23043 On the Filamentary Structure of the Solar Corona] (1963) * [http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1967SoPh....1..220A&db_key=AST&link_type=ABSTRACT&high=42ca922c9c23043 Currents in the Solar Atmosphere and a Theory of Solar Flares] (1967) * [http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1967SSRv....7..140A&db_key=AST&link_type=ABSTRACT&high=42ca922c9c23043 On the Importance of Electric Fields in the Magnetosphere and Interplanetary Space] (1967) * [http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1970Ap%26SS...6..161A&db_key=AST&link_type=ABSTRACT&high=42ca922c9c23043 Jet Streams in Space] (1970) * [http://history.nasa.gov/SP-345/contents.htm Evolution of the Solar System] (1976) with Gustaf Arrhenius (NASA book) * [http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-iarticle_query?1978Ap%26SS..54..279A&amp;data_type=PDF_HIGH&amp;type=PRINTER&amp;filetype=.pdf Double radio sources and the new approach to cosmical plasma physics] (1978) (PDF) * [http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-iarticle_query?1978Ap%26SS..55..487A&amp;data_type=PDF_HIGH&amp;type=PRINTER&amp;filetype=.pdf Interstellar clouds and the formation of stars] with Per Carlqvist (1978) (PDF) * [http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-iarticle_query?1980Ap%26SS..71..203C&amp;data_type=PDF_HIGH&amp;type=PRINTER&amp;filetype=.pdf Energy source of the solar wind] with Per Carlqvist (1980) (PDF) A direct transfer of energy from photospheric activity to the solar wind by means of electric currents is discussed. * [http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-iarticle_query?1981LPI....12...10A&amp;data_type=PDF_HIGH&amp;type=PRINTER&amp;filetype=.pdf Electromagnetic Effects and the Structure of the Saturnian Rings] (1981) (PDF) * [http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-iarticle_query?1981Ap%26SS..76...35W&amp;data_type=PDF_HIGH&amp;type=PRINTER&amp;filetype=.pdf A three-ring circuit model of the magnetosphere] with Whipple, E. C. and Jr.; McIlwain (1981) (PDF) * [http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-iarticle_query?1981Ap%26SS..79..491A&amp;data_type=PDF_HIGH&amp;type=PRINTER&amp;filetype=.pdf The Voyager 1/Saturn encounter and the cosmogonic shadow effect] (1981) (PDF) * [http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-iarticle_query?1983acm..proc..193A&amp;data_type=PDF_HIGH&amp;type=PRINTER&amp;filetype=.pdf Origin, evolution and present structure of the asteroid region] (1983) (PDF) * [http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-iarticle_query?1983Ap%26SS..89..313A&amp;data_type=PDF_HIGH&amp;type=PRINTER&amp;filetype=.pdf On hierarchical cosmology] (1983) (PDF) Progress in lab studies of plasmas and on their methods of transferring the results to cosmic conditions. * [http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-iarticle_query?1983Ap%26SS..97...79A&amp;data_type=PDF_HIGH&amp;type=PRINTER&amp;filetype=.pdf Solar system history as recorded in the Saturnian ring structure] (1983) (PDF) * [http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-iarticle_query?1984JApA....5...79A&amp;data_type=PDF_HIGH&amp;type=PRINTER&amp;filetype=.pdf Cosmology - Myth or science?] (1984) (PDF) * [http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-iarticle_query?1984SSRv...39...65A&amp;data_type=PDF_HIGH&amp;type=PRINTER&amp;filetype=.pdf Cosmogony as an extrapolation of magnetospheric research] (1984) (PDF) {{Nobel Prize in Physics Laureates 1951-1975}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Alfven, Hannes}} [[Category:1908 births]] [[Category:1995 deaths]] [[Category:Fellows of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers]] [[Category:Foreign Members of the Royal Society]] [[Category:Nobel laureates in Physics]] [[Category:People from Norrköping]] [[Category:Swedish astronomers]] [[Category:Swedish pacifists]] [[Category:Swedish physicists]] [[Category:Uppsala University alumni]] [[Category:Royal Institute of Technology academics]] [[ar:هانز ألفين]] [[bn:হানেস আল্‌ফভেন]] [[bs:Hannes Alfvén]] [[ca:Hannes Alfvén]] [[cs:Hannes Olof Gösta Alfvén]] [[de:Hannes Alfvén]] [[es:Hannes Olof Gösta Alfvén]] [[eo:Hannes Alfvén]] [[fr:Hannes Alfvén]] [[gl:Hannes Alfvén]] [[hi:हान्नेस आल्फवेन]] [[io:Hannes Alfvén]] [[id:Hannes Olof Gösta Alfvén]] [[it:Hannes Alfvén]] [[sw:Hannes Alfven]] [[lb:Hannes Alfvén]] [[hu:Hannes Alfvén]] [[nl:Hannes Alfvén]] [[ja:ハンス・アルヴェーン]] [[no:Hannes Alfvén]] [[pl:Hannes Alfvén]] [[pt:Hannes Olof Gösta Alfvén]] [[ro:Hannes Alfvén]] [[ru:Альфвен, Ханнес]] [[sk:Hannes Olof Gösta Alfvén]] [[sl:Hannes Olof Gösta Alfvén]] [[fi:Hannes Alfvén]] [[sv:Hannes Alfvén]] [[uk:Альфвен Ханнес Олаф Геста]] [[zh:汉尼斯·阿尔文]]