George Hockham
Encyclopedia
George Alfred Hockham is an engineer
who has worked for over 40 years in theoretical analysis and design techniques applied to the solution of electromagnetic problems covering many different antenna types for radar
, electronic warfare
and communication
systems. He coauthored the original paper on the application of cladded glass fiber as a transmission medium.
in 1961, and a PhD in 1969 from the University of London
. He has worked for over 40 years in theoretical analysis and design techniques applied to the solution of electromagnetic problems covering many different antenna types for radar
, electronic warfare
and communication
systems.
Hockham has also contributed significantly to the development of optical fibres for long distance communications systems. He proposed and published, together with a colleague Professor K. C. Kao, in 1966 the original paper on the application of the cladded glass fibre as the transmission medium - "Dielectric-fibre surface waveguides for optical frequencies" - for which he received the Rank Prize in Opto-Electronics in 1978. He is the holder of 16 scientific/technical patents and authored and co-authored 26 papers published in professional journals. He was previously Technical Director of Thorn EMI
Electronics, Sensors Group, Technical Director in Plessey Radar, Director of Technology Plessey Electronics Systems and Manager of the Antenna and Microwave Laboratory, ITT Gilfillan, Los Angeles, Member of Advisory committees to the MoD and Academia. He is currently a Visiting Professor at Queen Mary, University of London
.
He met his wife Mary in 1962 and they were married in 1964. Following his marriage he produced the most creative and productive work of his life. Two daughters and two sons were born in the next nine years. Cyril Connolly may well have deemed the pram in the hall the enemy of creativity but Hockham co-authored the paper that started it all in 1966. Fibre optics has changed the modern communications world.
Hockham was a keen swimmer in his youth and swam for his school and county. He later swam for STL Harlow in inter-companies competitions. He was also an enthusiastic member of the Regent Street Polytechnic Water Polo team during his undergraduate days - some would say too enthusiastic, spending more time in the water than at study. On giving up swimming he took up amateur motor cycle racing . Today he is a keen follower of Motor cycle racing and Formula 1 car racing.
PhD from University of London (1969)
BSc(Eng) Regent Street Polytechnic
(1961)
Featured in BBC programme Tomorrow's World
Rank Prize for Opto-Electronics 6 March 1978
Visiting Professor Queen Mary, University of London
Honorary Professor Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications
in the field of Microwave and Lightwave Communication (2008)
Featured in Science Museum (London)
Featured in British Genius Exhibition (1977)
Fellow Institution of Electrical Engineers
(1987)
Fellow Royal Academy of Engineering
(1995)
Holder of 16 scientific / technical patents
(STL) in Harlow following graduation in September 1961 working in the Microwave laboratory under Professor A E Karbowiak. The work here was on Trunk communication systems. During this period with the advent of the LASER there was now available an optical coherent source. By adopting optical frequencies that allowed much higher bandwidth for the transmission of information and the emphasis switched to one of finding a suitable optical waveguide. Several options were considered, the thin film waveguide proposed by Karbowiak which Hockham worked on but had the limitation that the electromagnetic field could not be contained laterally and proved to be of limited use. Another colleague investigated a confocal lens system. This comprised a periodic array of lenses displaced longitudinally where in theory the light beam was focused periodically. This too proved to be unacceptable as the whole structure had to be contained within a controlled environment e.g. as soon as the temperature changed along the axis the beam was directed away from the axial direction and the light beam was lost- another failure.
At this time Professor Karbowiak left STL in 1964 and took up a position at the University of New South Wales in Sydney. Charles K. Kao
was transferred into the group and we started looking at other options in particular the fibre.
Hockham started looking at the theoretical aspects in particular the loss due to discontinuities in the fibre and also the loss incurred when the fibre was curved, both were known to affect the performance and needed to be quantified as any one of these could have rendered the fibre approach unacceptable. The single fibre would need to be less than 1 micrometre in diameter to preserve single mode operation and also most of the energy is carried outside the fibe core to preserve the low loss, this too was a non starter. However, if the core was surrounded by a cladding whose refractive index was close to that of the core a larger structure (in relative terms) could be accommodated. In this case most of the energy is now contained in the core and cladding regions of the fibre thus returning to the high losses. Charles Kao's part of the joint project was to investigate the losses in the glass material to determine if this could be reduced. All parts of the programme were successful leading now to a viable solution of a fibre optic communication system.
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
who has worked for over 40 years in theoretical analysis and design techniques applied to the solution of electromagnetic problems covering many different antenna types for radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
, electronic warfare
Electronic warfare
Electronic warfare refers to any action involving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum or directed energy to control the spectrum, attack an enemy, or impede enemy assaults via the spectrum. The purpose of electronic warfare is to deny the opponent the advantage of, and ensure friendly...
and communication
Telecommunication
Telecommunication is the transmission of information over significant distances to communicate. In earlier times, telecommunications involved the use of visual signals, such as beacons, smoke signals, semaphore telegraphs, signal flags, and optical heliographs, or audio messages via coded...
systems. He coauthored the original paper on the application of cladded glass fiber as a transmission medium.
Biography
Hockham received a BSc (Eng) degree from the Regent Street PolytechnicUniversity of Westminster
The University of Westminster is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent...
in 1961, and a PhD in 1969 from the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
. He has worked for over 40 years in theoretical analysis and design techniques applied to the solution of electromagnetic problems covering many different antenna types for radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
, electronic warfare
Electronic warfare
Electronic warfare refers to any action involving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum or directed energy to control the spectrum, attack an enemy, or impede enemy assaults via the spectrum. The purpose of electronic warfare is to deny the opponent the advantage of, and ensure friendly...
and communication
Telecommunication
Telecommunication is the transmission of information over significant distances to communicate. In earlier times, telecommunications involved the use of visual signals, such as beacons, smoke signals, semaphore telegraphs, signal flags, and optical heliographs, or audio messages via coded...
systems.
Hockham has also contributed significantly to the development of optical fibres for long distance communications systems. He proposed and published, together with a colleague Professor K. C. Kao, in 1966 the original paper on the application of the cladded glass fibre as the transmission medium - "Dielectric-fibre surface waveguides for optical frequencies" - for which he received the Rank Prize in Opto-Electronics in 1978. He is the holder of 16 scientific/technical patents and authored and co-authored 26 papers published in professional journals. He was previously Technical Director of Thorn EMI
Thorn EMI
Thorn EMI was a major British company involved in consumer electronics, music, defence and retail. Created in October 1979 when Thorn Electrical Industries merged with EMI, it was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index but it demerged again in...
Electronics, Sensors Group, Technical Director in Plessey Radar, Director of Technology Plessey Electronics Systems and Manager of the Antenna and Microwave Laboratory, ITT Gilfillan, Los Angeles, Member of Advisory committees to the MoD and Academia. He is currently a Visiting Professor at Queen Mary, University of London
Queen Mary, University of London
Queen Mary, University of London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
.
Family and hobbies
George Alfred Hockham was born in 1938 in Epsom, Surrey, the only child of George and Elizabeth Hockham (née Elliott). His parents moved to Enfield when he was 6 months old and that is where he spent his childhood and early adulthood. He attended the local Albany Boys' Secondary School and later Regent Street Polytechnic where he obtained a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering. He started work at STL Harlow as a young graduate engineer in 1961.He met his wife Mary in 1962 and they were married in 1964. Following his marriage he produced the most creative and productive work of his life. Two daughters and two sons were born in the next nine years. Cyril Connolly may well have deemed the pram in the hall the enemy of creativity but Hockham co-authored the paper that started it all in 1966. Fibre optics has changed the modern communications world.
Hockham was a keen swimmer in his youth and swam for his school and county. He later swam for STL Harlow in inter-companies competitions. He was also an enthusiastic member of the Regent Street Polytechnic Water Polo team during his undergraduate days - some would say too enthusiastic, spending more time in the water than at study. On giving up swimming he took up amateur motor cycle racing . Today he is a keen follower of Motor cycle racing and Formula 1 car racing.
Awards and achievements
Authored and co-authored 26 papers published in professional journals, including what is widely reported as the pioneering paper in fibre optics in 1966 the original paper - Dielectric Fibre Surface Waveguides for Optical Frequencies – with Charles Kao.PhD from University of London (1969)
BSc(Eng) Regent Street Polytechnic
University of Westminster
The University of Westminster is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent...
(1961)
Featured in BBC programme Tomorrow's World
Tomorrow's World
Tomorrow's World was a long-running BBC television series, showcasing new developments in the world of science and technology. First aired on 7 July 1965 on BBC1, it ran for 38 years until it was cancelled at the beginning of 2003.- Content :...
Rank Prize for Opto-Electronics 6 March 1978
Visiting Professor Queen Mary, University of London
Queen Mary, University of London
Queen Mary, University of London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
Honorary Professor Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications
Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications
The Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications was founded as The Beijing Institute of Posts and Telecommunications in 1955. It was created under the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and the Communications Department of the General Staff Department of the People's Liberation Army...
in the field of Microwave and Lightwave Communication (2008)
Featured in Science Museum (London)
Featured in British Genius Exhibition (1977)
Fellow Institution of Electrical Engineers
Institution of Electrical Engineers
The Institution of Electrical Engineers was a British professional organisation of electronics, electrical, manufacturing, and Information Technology professionals, especially electrical engineers. The I.E.E...
(1987)
Fellow Royal Academy of Engineering
Royal Academy of Engineering
-Overview: is the UK’s national academy of engineering. The Academy brings together the most successful and talented engineers from across the engineering sectors for a shared purpose: to advance and promote excellence in engineering....
(1995)
Holder of 16 scientific / technical patents
Work history
Hockham joined Standard Telecommunication LaboratoriesStandard Telecommunication Laboratories
Standard Telecommunication Laboratories was the UK Research Laboratories for the Standard Telephones and Cables Company .Initially based in Enfield, North London, and moved to Harlow Essex in 1959. At this time STC was part of ITT....
(STL) in Harlow following graduation in September 1961 working in the Microwave laboratory under Professor A E Karbowiak. The work here was on Trunk communication systems. During this period with the advent of the LASER there was now available an optical coherent source. By adopting optical frequencies that allowed much higher bandwidth for the transmission of information and the emphasis switched to one of finding a suitable optical waveguide. Several options were considered, the thin film waveguide proposed by Karbowiak which Hockham worked on but had the limitation that the electromagnetic field could not be contained laterally and proved to be of limited use. Another colleague investigated a confocal lens system. This comprised a periodic array of lenses displaced longitudinally where in theory the light beam was focused periodically. This too proved to be unacceptable as the whole structure had to be contained within a controlled environment e.g. as soon as the temperature changed along the axis the beam was directed away from the axial direction and the light beam was lost- another failure.
At this time Professor Karbowiak left STL in 1964 and took up a position at the University of New South Wales in Sydney. Charles K. Kao
Charles K. Kao
The Honorable Sir Charles Kuen Kao, GBM, KBE, FRS, FREng is a pioneer in the development and use of fiber optics in telecommunications...
was transferred into the group and we started looking at other options in particular the fibre.
Hockham started looking at the theoretical aspects in particular the loss due to discontinuities in the fibre and also the loss incurred when the fibre was curved, both were known to affect the performance and needed to be quantified as any one of these could have rendered the fibre approach unacceptable. The single fibre would need to be less than 1 micrometre in diameter to preserve single mode operation and also most of the energy is carried outside the fibe core to preserve the low loss, this too was a non starter. However, if the core was surrounded by a cladding whose refractive index was close to that of the core a larger structure (in relative terms) could be accommodated. In this case most of the energy is now contained in the core and cladding regions of the fibre thus returning to the high losses. Charles Kao's part of the joint project was to investigate the losses in the glass material to determine if this could be reduced. All parts of the programme were successful leading now to a viable solution of a fibre optic communication system.
External links
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4671788.stm
- http://www.raeng.org.uk/news/releases/shownews.htm?NewsID=521
- http://www.qmul.ac.uk/media/news/items/se/19650.html
- http://www.greatachievements.org/?id=3706
- http://www.yourdictionary.com/telecom/hockham-george
- http://www.qmul.ac.uk/alumni/alumninetwork/notablealumni/index.html#hockham
- http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file26390.pdf