Michael Feld, director of MIT's George R. Harrison Spectroscopy Laboratory, has been chosen to receive the 2008 William F. Meggers Award.
The award, given by the Optical Society of America (OSA), honors Feld for his "major contributions to the foundations of laser spectroscopy, and for pioneering developments in the application of spectroscopy to biomedicine."
Feld, a professor of physics, studies various aspects of laser physics, spectroscopy and biomedicine. His optical physics research spans the fields of molecular and atomic spectroscopy, laser-nuclear interactions and the study of dynamical and radiative processes in atoms and molecules.
"Spectroscopy is a wonderful tool for exploring the frontiers of physics, chemistry, biology and medicine, and I'm sure that in the coming years, it will have an enormous impact in everything from improving human health to understanding the secrets of the universe," Feld said.
Other MIT scientists who have won the Meggers Award include Robert Field (1996), Daniel Kleppner (1991) and George R. Harrison (1970).
"I'm honored to receive this award, especially in light of the fact that the first Meggers Award went to George R. Harrison, who founded the Spectroscopy Laboratory that I have directed since 1975," said Feld.
Feld will receive the award at the OSA annual meeting in Rochester, N.Y., Oct. 19-23. The award carries a $1,500 prize.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on April 9, 2008 (download PDF).
