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A Conversation with William A. Fowler – Part II

Abstract.

Physicist William A.Fowler initiated an experimental program in nuclear astrophysics after World War II. He recalls here the Steady State versus Big Bang controversy and his celebrated collaboration with Fred Hoyle and Geoffrey and Margaret Burbidge on nucleosynthesis in stars. He also comments on the shift away from nuclear physics in universities to large accelerators and national laboratories.

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John Greenberg received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Wisconsin and was Caltech research fellow in history from 1980–1984. The Editors were saddened to learn that he died while this interview was in press. Requests for reprints may be directed to Judith R. Goodstein, Institute Archives 015A-74, Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125 USA; e-mail: jrg@caltech.edu.

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Greenberg, J. A Conversation with William A. Fowler – Part II. Phys. perspect. 7, 165–203 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00016-004-0217-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00016-004-0217-z

Key words.

  • Hans A. Bethe
  • Gregory Breit
  • Geoffrey Burbidge
  • Margaret Burbidge
  • Alastair G.W. Cameron
  • Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
  • William A. Fowler
  • George Gamow
  • Jesse Greenstein
  • Raymond G. Herb
  • Fred Hoyle
  • Charles C. Lauritsen
  • Ernest O. Lawrence
  • J. Robert Oppenheimer
  • Edwin E. Salpeter
  • Hans E. Suess
  • Merle A. Tuve
  • Harold C. Urey
  • Caltech
  • National Science Foundation
  • cosmology
  • element abundances
  • nucleosynthesis
  • resonance phenomena