Burton Richter

Burton Richter, born on March 22, 1931, was a prominent American physicist renowned for his significant contributions to the field of particle physics. He played a pivotal role in leading the team at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) that co-discovered the J/ψ meson in 1974. This groundbreaking discovery was made in collaboration with the Brookhaven National Laboratory team, headed by Samuel Ting, and it marked a crucial moment in the November Revolution of particle physics.

Richter's work in particle physics not only advanced scientific understanding but also earned him and his team the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1976. This accolade recognized their innovative research and the profound implications it had on the study of fundamental particles.

In addition to his research achievements, Richter served as the director of SLAC from 1984 to 1999, where he continued to influence the direction of particle physics research and education. His leadership at SLAC helped to foster an environment of discovery and innovation, shaping the future of the field.