Background
Pritchard, David Edward was born on October 15, 1941 in New York City.
physicist university professor
Pritchard, David Edward was born on October 15, 1941 in New York City.
Bachelor of Science, California Institute of Technology, 1962. Doctor of Philosophy, Harvard University, 1968.
Professor Pritchard carried out pioneering experiments on the interaction of atoms with light that led to the creation of the field of atom optics. His demonstration of the diffraction of a beam of atoms by a grating made of light waves opened the way to studies of the diffraction, reflection, and focusing of matter waves, similar to those with light waves. He has applied atom optics to basic studies of quantum theory, to new methods for studying the properties of atoms, and to the creation of devices such as the atom interferometer and atom wave gyroscope.
In 1990, he brought Wolfgang Ketterle to Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a postdoctoral researcher to work on atom cooling, and stepped aside from that field to allow Ketterle to be appointed to the faculty in 1992.
Professor Pritchard also mentored Eric Cornell, who was his graduate student.
Fellow: American Association for the Advancement of Science, Optical Society of America (board directors 1998—2001, Max Born award 2004), American Academy Arts and Sciences, American Physical Society (distinguished traveling lecturer laser science topical group 1992-1994, representative steering committee laser science topical group, representative joint council on quantum electronics, Broida prize 1991, Centennial speaker 1999, Schawlow prize 2003). Member: National Academy of Sciences, American Association Physics Teachers (research in physics education committee), Effective Educational technology, Inc. (co-founder), Tiverton Yacht Club (Rhode Island).
Married Andrea Hasler. Children: Orion, Alexander.