Steven Chu (b. 28.02.1948, St. Louis, Missouri, USA) - experimental physicist. Foreign Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (2017). Member of the US National Academy of Sciences (1993), American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1992), American Philosophical Society (1998). Foreign member of the Academy of Sciences of China (1998), Korean Academy of Science and Technology (1998), Royal Society of London (2014), Doctor of Philosophical Sciences (1976), Professor (1987). Doctor honoris causa of the Russian Academy of Sciences (2012). President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2019).
Scientific works in the field of applied physics. He carried out research in the field of polymer physics and biophysics, was one of the authors of the Bio-X interdisciplinary physico-biological program, designed to link physical processes with medico-biological knowledge of living beings. Developed methods for visualizing biomolecules and manipulating them. A number of works on alternative energy sources in the field of biofuel production, artificial photosynthesis, and the use of solar energy. Developed methods for cooling and trapping atoms using laser technology, which are used in the construction of precision atomic clocks, as well as in precise positioning and in space navigation.
Author of over 220 scientific papers.
Nobel Prize in Physics (1997) for creating methods of cooling and trapping atoms by a laser beam. Herbert P. Broid Prize (1987). Richtmyer Memorial Prize (1990) for his outstanding contribution to physics and communication with teachers of physics. King Faisal International Science Prize (1993) for scientific achievements. A. Shavlov Prize in Laser Physics (1994). Humboldt Award (1995).