Discovering Alvarez: Selected Works of Luis W. Alvarez with Commentary by His Students and Colleagues

Luis W. Alvarez has had a breathtakingly varied and important career of discovery, adventure, and invention. The winner of the 1968 Nobel Prize in physics for his work on subatomic particles, Alvarez participated as a scientific observer of the Hiroshima bombing mission, formulated the asteroid theory of dinosaur extinctions, discovered the radioactivity of tritium, took x-rays of the Second Pyramid at Giza, designed the Berkeley proton linear accelerator, first observed fundamental particle resonances, created the variable-focus thin lens, analyzed the Kennedy assassination film, and invented the Ground Control Approach radar system for airplane landings, to name but a few of his experiences and accomplishments.

Discovering Alvarez collects articles by this innovative physicist, documenting his outstanding contributions. The articles, which span his career, are accompanied by a remarkable collection of commentary by the colleagues and students who worked closely with Alvarez on each project or discovery.

Luis W. Alvarez is senior research scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and professor emeritus of physics at the University of California, Berkeley. His autobiography, Alvarez: Adventures of a Physicist, has just been published. W. Peter Trower, professor of physics at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, also collaborated on Alvarez's autobiography.