Abdus Salam (January 29, 1926 – November 21, 1996) was a Pakistani theoretical physicist who made significant contributions to the field of theoretical physics. He was born in Jhang, British India (now in Pakistan) and later became a British and Pakistani citizen.
Salam shared the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physics with Sheldon Glashow and Steven Weinberg for their contributions to the electroweak unification, which combines electromagnetism and the weak nuclear force into a single theory. This unified theory forms a crucial component of the Standard Model of particle physics.
Despite his notable scientific achievements, Abdus Salam faced challenges and discrimination in his home country due to his religious beliefs. He was an Ahmadi Muslim, a sect that has faced persecution in Pakistan. Salam worked internationally, particularly in Europe, and held positions at institutions such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna and the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).
Abdus Salam passed away on November 21, 1996, in Oxford, United Kingdom. While he is celebrated for his contributions to physics, his story also highlights the complexities and challenges faced by scientists working in diverse cultural and religious contexts.
No comments:
Post a Comment