Professor Marlan Orvil Scully
He played a pivotal role in propounding the quantum theoretical framework for lasers, theory of free electron laser, correlated spontaneous emission laser, quantum coherence control of refractive index, highly sensitive magnetometer, sub natural line width using quantum interference, description of Bose condensates using laser theory, and identification of bacterial spores using nonlinear coherent spectroscopy.
At Texas A&M University, Dr Scully is the Burgess Distinguished Professor of Physics and holds the TEES Distinguished Research Chair. He is also Director of the Center for Theoretical Physics and the Institute for Quantum Studies. At Princeton University, he holds the rank of professor in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department and the Princeton Institute for the Science and Technology of Materials.
Professor Scully has published more than 500 research articles, with many in top journals such as Physical Review Letters, Nature, Sciences and PNAS. Among his many prestigious awards are the Frederic Ives Medal (the highest honour given by the Optical Society of America), Herbert Walther Award, Arthur L. Schawlow Prize (American Physical Society), Quantum Electronics Award (IEEE), Charles H. Townes Award (Optical Society) and Elliott Cresson Medal (Franklin Institute) – primarily for his seminal influence and ground-breaking innovations in quantum optics and atomic physics, and for his wide-ranging contributions to the international scientific community.
Associate Professor Dr Raymond Ooi, who spent three years (2003-2006) as a postdoc in the United States with Professor Scully, is very excited about working with his mentor and friend under his High Impact Research (HIR) project. He recalls how Dr Scully made him his protégé and introduced him to many great scientists, including Nobel laureates Roy Glauber, Charles Townes, Normal Ramsey, Dudley Herschbach, Bill Philips, Tony Leggett and John Archibald Wheeler.
Associate Professor Ooi is eagerly awaiting the visit of Professor Scully to the University of Malaya in the near future. Besides picking his brain for more ideas about his HIR project, Associate Professor Ooi will play host to his mentor and friend, with plans for public talks on the wonders of the quantum world. “This is a time of rare opportunity and a tribute to the Master,” he quipped gleefully.
