Frederick Sumner Brackett
Encyclopedia
Frederick Sumner Brackett (August 1, 1896 – January 28, 1988), was an American physicist
and spectroscopist.
Born in Claremont
, California
, he graduated from Pomona College
and worked as an observer at Mount Wilson Observatory
until 1920. He observed the infra-red radiation of the Sun. Brackett received a doctorate in physics from the Johns Hopkins University
in 1922. Applying a hydrogen filled discharge tube, he discovered the hydrogen
Brackett series, where an electron
jumps up from or drops down to the fourth fundamental level, in 1922. Before moving to the Washington area in 1927, he taught physics at the University of California, Berkeley
. He joined the Department of Agriculture's Fixed Nitrogen Lab in 1927 and transferred to the National Institute of Health (NIH) in 1936 as director of biophysics research.
During WWII, he directed a research optics program at the Army. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel
and received the Legion of Merit
for his work.
Brackett returned to the NIH as chief of the photobiology
section. He retired in 1961.
The lunar crater Brackett
is named after him.
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
and spectroscopist.
Born in Claremont
Claremont, California
Claremont is a small affluent college town in eastern Los Angeles County, California, United States, about east of downtown Los Angeles at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. The population as of the 2010 census is 34,926. Claremont is known for its seven higher-education institutions, its...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, he graduated from Pomona College
Pomona College
Pomona College is a private, residential, liberal arts college in Claremont, California. Founded in 1887 in Pomona, California by a group of Congregationalists, the college moved to Claremont in 1889 to the site of a hotel, retaining its name. The school enrolls 1,548 students.The founding member...
and worked as an observer at Mount Wilson Observatory
Mount Wilson Observatory
The Mount Wilson Observatory is an astronomical observatory in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The MWO is located on Mount Wilson, a 5,715 foot peak in the San Gabriel Mountains near Pasadena, northeast of Los Angeles...
until 1920. He observed the infra-red radiation of the Sun. Brackett received a doctorate in physics from the Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
in 1922. Applying a hydrogen filled discharge tube, he discovered the hydrogen
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is the chemical element with atomic number 1. It is represented by the symbol H. With an average atomic weight of , hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant chemical element, constituting roughly 75% of the Universe's chemical elemental mass. Stars in the main sequence are mainly...
Brackett series, where an electron
Electron
The electron is a subatomic particle with a negative elementary electric charge. It has no known components or substructure; in other words, it is generally thought to be an elementary particle. An electron has a mass that is approximately 1/1836 that of the proton...
jumps up from or drops down to the fourth fundamental level, in 1922. Before moving to the Washington area in 1927, he taught physics at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. He joined the Department of Agriculture's Fixed Nitrogen Lab in 1927 and transferred to the National Institute of Health (NIH) in 1936 as director of biophysics research.
During WWII, he directed a research optics program at the Army. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
and received the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
for his work.
Brackett returned to the NIH as chief of the photobiology
Photobiology
Photobiology is the scientific study of the interactions of light and living organisms. The field includes the study of photosynthesis, photomorphogenesis, visual processing, circadian rhythms, bioluminescence, and ultraviolet radiation effects...
section. He retired in 1961.
The lunar crater Brackett
Brackett (crater)
Brackett is a small lunar impact crater that lies near the southeast edge of Mare Serenitatis. The crater has been covered by lava flow, leaving only a ring-shaped trace in the surrounding lunar mare. This crater is best observed under oblique illumination, as it is otherwise difficult to find. The...
is named after him.