Geoffrey Ernest Stedman

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Geoffrey Ernest Stedman
Born 1943
Residence New Zealand
Alma mater University of Canterbury
Queen Mary College, University of London
Known for Ring lasers
Awards Hector Medal (1994)
Scientific career
Institutions University of Canterbury
Thesis Ion-lattice interactions in rare earth salts  (1968)
Doctoral advisor D.J. Newman

Geoffrey Ernest "Geoff" Stedman (born 1943) is a New Zealand physicist, with research interests including the foundations of relativity, symmetry in quantum mechanics, and ring lasers. [1]

Theory of relativity physical theory

The theory of relativity usually encompasses two interrelated theories by Albert Einstein: special relativity and general relativity. Special relativity applies to elementary particles and their interactions, describing all their physical phenomena except gravity. General relativity explains the law of gravitation and its relation to other forces of nature. It applies to the cosmological and astrophysical realm, including astronomy.

Symmetry in quantum mechanics Properties underlying modern physics

Symmetries in quantum mechanics describe features of spacetime and particles which are unchanged under some transformation, in the context of quantum mechanics, relativistic quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, and with applications in the mathematical formulation of the standard model and condensed matter physics. In general, symmetry in physics, invariance, and conservation laws, are fundamentally important constraints for formulating physical theories and models. In practice, they are powerful methods for solving problems and predicting what can happen. While conservation laws do not always give the answer to the problem directly, they form the correct constraints and the first steps to solving a multitude of problems.

Ring lasers are composed of two beams of light of the same polarization traveling in opposite directions ("counter-rotating") in a closed loop.

Born in 1943, Stedman attended the University of Canterbury, graduating with a BSc(Hons) in physics in 1965. [1] He subsequently went to Queen Mary College, University of London, where he completed his PhD under Douglas Newman in 1968. After post-doctoral research, also at Queen Mary, Stedman returned to lecture at Canterbury in 1971. [2] He retired in 2003 and was granted the title of emeritus professor. [3]

University of Canterbury university in Christchurch, New Zealand

The University of Canterbury is New Zealand's second oldest university.

Queen Mary University of London public research university in London, England; constituent college of the federal University of London

Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) is a public research university in London, England, and a constituent college of the federal University of London. It dates back to the foundation of London Hospital Medical College in 1785. Queen Mary College, named after Mary of Teck, was admitted to the University of London in 1915 and in 1989 merged with Westfield College to form Queen Mary and Westfield College. In 1995 Queen Mary and Westfield College merged with St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College and the London Hospital Medical College to form the School of Medicine and Dentistry.

He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand in 1989, [4] and in 1994 he won the society's Hector Medal. [5] He won the Canterbury Research Medal in 2001. [2]

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References

  1. 1 2 "E. Prof. Geoff Stedman". Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  2. 1 2 Kirk, Bob (1 March 2002). "Professor Stedman recipient of 2001 Research Medal" . Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  3. Hartley, Lynette (28 August 2003). "Teaching a 'privilege' – retiring physics professor" (PDF). Chronicle. University of Canterbury. 38 (13): 2. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  4. "The Academy: S–U". Royal Society of New Zealand. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  5. "Hector Medal". Royal Society of New Zealand. Retrieved 16 October 2014.