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Guide to the Papers of Robert L. Walker, 1937-1994
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Title: Robert L. Walker papers,
Date (inclusive): 1937-1994
Collection number: Consult repository
Creator:
Walker, Robert L., 1919-
Extent:
6 linear feet
Repository:
California Institute of Technology. Archives.
Pasadena, California 91125
Abstract: This collection documents the career of Robert L. Walker, Professor of Physics at Caltech from 1949-1981. The records illustrate
Walker's expertise in experimental high energy physics, particularly in the design of detectors. The records include working
files relating to the Caltech synchrotron; technical files and log books; correspondence; manuscripts and reports; and files
relating to other accelerator laboratories.
Language:
English.
The collection is open for research. Researchers must apply in writing for access.
Copyright may not have been assigned to the California Institute of Technology Archives. All requests for permission to publish
or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of the Archives. Permission for publication is given on
behalf of the California Institute of Technology Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include
or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
[Identification of item, box and file number], Papers of Robert L. Walker. Archives, California Institute of Technology.
Gift of Dr. Robert L. Walker in 1996 and 1998.
This collection was processed by Laurence M. Dupray and Anne Simms in June 2000.
Acknowledgements
The processing of the Robert L. Walker collection and the creation of the finding aid was made possible in part by a grant
from the Richard Lounsbery Foundation and the Friends of the Center for History of Physics, American Institute of Physics.
Born in Saint Louis, Missouri on June 29, 1919, Robert Walker spent most of his childhood in Winnetka, a suburb north of Chicago.
After graduating from a local high school, he attended Harvard University for one year and then transferred to the University
of Chicago, where he graduated in 1941 with a B.Sc. in physics. During the war, Walker worked on the Manhattan Project first
in the Metallurgical Laboratory of the University of Chicago, then in Los Alamos National Laboratory where the atomic bomb
was built.
When the war ended, Walker decided to pursue an academic career and entered Cornell University. At this stage of his life
he developed a strong interest in high-energy physics. During his dissertation work, he built a tiny cyclotron, designed experiments,
made measurements, then analyzed the data. In less than one year, Walker obtained his PhD (1948). He stayed an additional
year at Cornell University and participated in the construction of their 300 MeV electron synchrotron.
Early in the fall of 1949, Robert Walker joined the California Institute of Technology as an Assistant Professor of physics.
Soon after, he became involved, along with Bruce Rule and Robert Langmuir, in the enormous task of building the most powerful
machine of its type ever built, the Caltech 1.2 Billion-Volt Synchrotron. Sadly, he was also involved some twenty years later
in its dismantlement. During and after the operation of the synchrotron, Walker's interest was in elementary particle physics,
and more specifically in the study of photoproduction of pions.
Dr. Walker referred to himself as being sometimes a "professional committee person." He was indeed a member of various professional
organizations, most of them sponsored by the Atomic Energy Commission to study the fate of various high-energy physics programs
in the United States.
In addition to his research, teaching and involvement in committees, Dr. Walker published an influential book
Mathematical Methods of Physics with Jon Mathews, which is still in print.
In 1982, Professor Walker decided to retire from Caltech. He is now living in New Mexico, enjoying activities such as building
harpsichords, reading about biology, and canoeing in the Arctic.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection was donated to the Archives of the California Institute of Technology by Dr. Walker himself in two installments.
In 1996, Dr. Walker gave permission to transfer to the Institute Archives the content of some file cabinets that he had left
with the Physics Division. Two years later, Dr. Walker returned to the Archives, bringing additional correspondence and material
pertaining to the Caltech synchrotron. It should be noted that the material was already somewhat organized when donated (correspondence,
synchrotron, and committee documents in separate folders).
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection.
Argonne National Laboratory
Brookhaven National Laboratory
California Institute of Technology
Stanford Linear Accelerator
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
Particles (Nuclear physics)
Accelerators
Synchrotrons
High energy physics
Reports
- Papers of Robert F. Bacher (currently closed)
- Papers of Bruce H. Rule
- Papers of Lee A. DuBridge
- Records of The Caltech Synchrotron
- Oral History of Robert F. Bacher (1981, 1983)
- Oral History of Robert L. Walker (1997-1998)
- 1. 1952 "The reaction of Be 9 (ρ,αγ)Li 6 ." (1952) Day, R.B. and Walker, R.L. Phys. Rev., 85, 582-585.
- 2. 1953 "Photoproduction of neutral mesons in hydrogen at high energies." (1953) Walker, R.L.; Oakley, D.C. and Tollestrup, A.V. Phys. Rev., 89, 1301-1302.
- 3. 1953 "Photoproduction of positive mesons from hydrogen: Magnetic spectrometer method." (1953) Walker, R.L.; Teasdale, J.G.; Peterson, V.Z. and Vette, J.I. Phys. Rev., 92, 1090.
- 4. 1954 "Negative-to-positive ratio of photomesons from deuterium." (1954) Sands, M.; Teasdale, J.G. and Walker, R.L. Phys. Rev., 95, 592-593.
- 5. 1955 "Photoproduction of neutral pions in hydrogen: ρ-γ coincidences." (1955) Walker, R.L.; Oakley, D.C. and Tollestrup, A.V. Phys. Rev., 97, 1279-1282.
- 6. 1955 "Photoproduction of neutral pions in hydrogen: magnetic analysis of recoil protons." (1955) Oakley, D.C. and Walker, R.L. Phys. Rev., 97, 1283-1291.
- 7. 1955 "Photoproduction of positive pions in hydrogen-magnetic spectrometer method." (1955) Walker, R.L.; Teasdale, J.G.; Peterson, V.Z. and Vette, J.I. Phys. Rev., 99, 210-219.
- 8. 1956 "Partial wave analysis of the experimental photomeson cross sections." (1956) Watson, K.M.; Keck, J.C.; Tollestrup, A.V. and Walker, R.L. Phys. Rev., 101, 1159-1172.
- 9. 1957 "Photoproduction of Κ + mesons in hydrogen." (1957) Donoho, P.L. and Walker, R.L. Phys. Rev., 107, 1198-1200.
- 10. 1958 "Photoproduction of Κ + particles in hydrogen at forward angles." (1958) Brody, H.M.; Wetherell, A.M. and Walker, R.L. Phys. Rev., 110, 1213-1214.
- 11. 1958 "Photoproduction of single positive pions from hydrogen in the 600-1000 Mev." (1958) Dixon, F.P. and Walker, R.L. Phys. Rev. Lett., 1, 142.
- 12. 1958 "Photoproduction of Κ + mesons in hydrogen." (1958) Donoho, P.L. and Walker, R.L. Phys. Rev., 112, 981-986.
- 13. 1959 "π - /π + ratio from deuterium in photoproduction at 500-1000 Mev." (1959) Neugebauer, G.; Wales, W.D. and Walker, R.L. Phys. Rev. Lett., 2, 429-430.
- 14. 1960 "Photoproduction of negative pions from hydrogen at forward angles." (1960) Kilner, J.R.; Diebold, R.E. and Walker, R.L. Phys. Rev. Lett., 5, 518-520.
- 15. 1960 "Photoproduction of Κ + mesons in hydrogen." (1960) Brody, H.M.; Wetherell, A.M. and Walker, R.L. Phys. Rev., 119, 1710-1716.
- 16. 1960 "Photoproduction of negative and positive pions from deuterium for photon energies 500 to 1000 Mev." (1960) Neugebauer, G.; Wales, W. and Walker, R.L. Phys. Rev., 119, 1726-1735.
- 17. 1961 "Photoproduction of single neutral pions from hydrogen at 60° on the 600-1100 Mev region." (1961) Diebold, R.; Gomez, R.; Talman, R. and Walker, R.L. Phys. Rev. Lett., 7, 323-326.
- 18. 1964 "Mathematical Methods of Physics." (1964) Mathews, J. and Walker, R.L eds. W.A. Benjamin, Inc., New York [book]
- 19. 1965 "Mathematical Methods of Physics. Second edition." (1965) Mathews, J. and Walker, R.L eds. W.A. Benjamin, Inc., New York [book]
- 20. 1967 "π+ photoproduction from hydrogen at laboratory energies from 589 to 1269 MeV." (1967) Ecklund, S.D. and Walker, R.L. Phys. Rev., 159, 1195-1209.
- 21. 1969 "Phenomenological analysis of single-pion photoproduction." (1969) Walker, R.L. Phys. Rev., 182, 1729-48.
- 22. 1970 "Channeling and coherent bremsstrahlung effects for relativistic positrons and electrons." (1970) Walker, R.L.; Berman, B.L.; Der, R.C.; Kavanagh, T.M. and Khan, J.M. Phys. Rev. Lett., 25, 5-8.
- 23. 1970 "Mathematical Methods of Physics." (1970) Mathews, J. and Walker, R.L eds Addison-Wesley Publishing company. [book]
- 24. 1974 "The reaction π - ρ→π°n and π - ρ→ηn between 20 and 100 GeV/c." (1974) Barnes, A.V.; Mellema, D.J.; Tollestrup, A.V.; Walker, R.L.; Dahl, O.I.; Johnson, R.A.; Kenney, R.W. and Pripstein, M. Proc. 17th Int. Conf. High-Energy Phys. Sci. Res. Council, I-37-40. (Didcot, Berks., UK)
- 25. 1974 "A phenomenological analysis of pion photoproduction." (1974) Metcalf, W.J. and Walker, R.L. Nucl. Phys. B, 76, 253-89.
- 26. 1976 "Reaction π - ρ→ηn at high energies." (1976) Dahl, O.I.; Johnson, R.A.; Kenney, R.W.; Pripstein, M.; Barnes, A.V.; Mellema, D.J.; Tollestrup, A.V. and Walker, R.L. Phys. Rev. Lett., 37, 80-3.
- 27. 1976 "Pion charge-exchange scattering at high energies." (1976) Barnes, A.V.; Mellema, D.J.; Tollestrup, A.V.; Walker, R.L.; Dahl, O.I.; Johnson, R.A.; Kenney, R.W. and Pripstein, M. Phys. Rev. Lett., 37, 76-9.
- 28. 1976 "Inclusive π° production at large transverse momentum from π +or- ρ and ρρ interaction at 100 and 200 GeV/c." (1976) Donaldson, G.; Gordon, H.; Lai, K-W.; Stumer, I.; Barnes, A.; Mellema, J.; Tollestrup, A.; Walker, R.; Dahl, O.; Johnson, R.A.; Ogawa, A.; Pripstein, M. and Shannon S. Phys. Rev. Lett., 36, 1110-13.
- 29. 1977 "Reaction π - ρ→ωn at momenta from 20 to 200 GeV/c." (1977) Dahl, O.I.; Johnson, R.A.; Kenney, R.W.; Pripstein, M.; Barnes, A.V.; Mellema, D.J.; Tollestrup, A.V. and Walker, R.L. Phys. Rev. Lett., 38, 54-6.
- 30. 1978 "Inclusive π° and η production in the all neutral mode from 100 GeV/c π - ρ collisions." (1978) Barnes, A.V.; Fox, G.C.; Kennett, R.G.; Walker, R.L.; Dahl, O.I.; Kenney, R.W.; Ogawa, A. and Pripstein, M. Nucl. Phys., 145, 67-84.
- 31. 1978 "Inclusive π° and η production from 100 GeV/c π +or- ρ collisions in the triple Regge region." (1978) Barnes, A.V.; Fox, G.C.; Kennett, R.G.; Walker, R.L.; Dahl, O.I.; Kenney, R.W.; Ogawa, A. and Pripstein, M. Nucl. Phys., 145, 45-66.
- 32. 1978 "Precise tests of Triple-Regge theory from π° and η inclusive production in 100-GeV/c π +or- ρ collisions." (1978) Barnes, A.V.; Fox, G.C.; Kennett, R.G.; Walker, R.L.; Dahl, O.I.; Kenney, R.W.; Ogawa, A. and Pripstein, M. Phys. Rev. Lett., 41, 1260-2.
- 33. 1978 "Comparison of high transverse momentum π° production from π -, Χ -, ρ and ρ - beams." (1978) Donaldson, G.; Gordon, H.l, Lai, K-W.; Stumer, I.; Barnes, A.V.; Mellema, D.J.; Tollestrup, A.V.; Walker, R.L.; Dahl, O.I.; Johnson, R.A.; Ogawa, A.; Pripstein, M. and Shannon, S. Phys. Rev. Lett., 40, 917-20.
- 34. 1978 "Angular dependence of high-transverse-momentum inclusive π° production in π +or- ρ and ρρ interactions." (1978) Donaldson, G.; Gordon, H.A., Lai, K-W.; Stumer, I.; Barnes, A.V.; Mellema, D.J.; Tollestrup, A.V.; Walker, R.L.; Dahl, O.I.; Johnson, R.A.; Ogawa, A.; Pripstein, M. and Shannon, S. Phys. Lett. B, 73, 375-9.
- 35. 1978 "Inclusive η production at large transverse momenta." (1978) Donaldson, G.J.; Gordon, H.A.; Lai, K-W.; Stumer, I.; Barnes, A.V.; Mellema, D.J.; Tollestrup, A.V.; Walker, RL, Dahl, O.I.; Johnson, R.A.; Ogawa, A.; Pripstein, M. and Shannon, S.R. Phys. Rev. Lett., 40, 684-7.
- 36. 1980 "Observation of inclusive omega production at large transverse momentum." (1980) Donaldson, G.J.; Gordon, H.A.; Lai, K-W.; Barnes, A.V.; Mellema, D.J.; Tollestrup, A.V.; Walker, R.L.; Dahl, O.I.; Johnson, R.A.; Ogawa, A.; Pripstein, M. and Shannon, S.R. Phys. Rev., 21, 828-30.
- 37. 1981 "Inclusive π° and η production from kaon, proton and antiproton beams in the triple-Regge region." (1981) Kennett, R.G.; Barnes, A.V.; Fox, G.C.; Walker, R.L.; Dahl, O.I.; Kenney, R.W.; Ogawa, A. and Pripstein, M. Nucl. Phys., 177, 1-20.
- 38. 1982 "An SU(3)-based comparison between inclusive kaon and pion charge exchange scattering in the triple Regge region." (1982) Barnes, A.V.; Fox, G.C.; Kennett, R.G.; Walker, R.L.; Yager, P.M.; Kobrak, H.G.E.; Pitt, R.E.; Swanson, R.A.; Edwards, K.W.; Harrison, M.; Dahl, O.I.; Kenney, R.W.; Ogawa, A.; Pripstein, M.; Abolins, M.A.; Francis, W.R. and Owen, D.P. Nucl. Phys. B, 206, 173-84.
- 39. 1987 "The production of neutral pions from 200 GeV π - ρ collisions in the high χ region." (1987) Kennett, R.G.; Barnes, A.V.; Fox, C.G.; Walker, R.L.; Dahl, O.I.; Kenney, R.W.; Ogawa, A. and Pripstein, M. Nucl. Phys. B, 284, 653-73.
- AEC = Atomic Energy Commission
- AUA = Argonne Universities Association
- CEX = Charge Exchange experiment
- DOE = Department of Energy
- EPAC = Experimental Program Advisory Committee
- ERDA = Energy Research and Development Administration
- GAO = General Accounting Office
- Hepap = High-energy physics advisory panel (on Review and Long Range Planning for the US High-Energy Physics Program)
- JCAE = Joint Committee on Atomic Energy
- IUPAP = International Union of Pure and Applied Physics
- LBL = Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory
- PAC = SLAC Program Advisory Committee
- PEP = Positron Electron Project (high-energy positron-electron-colliding beam storage ring project; located at SLAC)
- PEPP = Panel on Elementary Particle Physics
- PPC = PEP Policy Committee
- PSC = Physics Survey Committee
- SAN = San Francisco Office
- SLAC = Stanford Linear Accelerator Center
- SPC = Scientific Policy Committee (SLAC's SPC)
- SPEAR = Stanford Positron Electron Accelerator Ring
- TPC = Time Projection Chamber