James P. Gordon Scientist

James Power Gordon (March 20, 1928 – June 21, 2013) was an American physicist known for his work in the fields of optics and quantum electronics. His contributions include the design, analysis and construction of the first maser in 1954 as a doctoral student at Columbia University under the supervision of C. H. Townes, development of the quantal equivalent of Shannon’s information capacity formula in 1962, development of the theory for the diffusion of atoms in an optical trap (together with A. Ashkin) in 1980, and the discovery of what is now known as the Gordon-Haus effect in soliton transmission, together with H. A. Haus in 1986. James P. Gordon was a member of the National Academy of Engineering (since 1985) and the National Academy of Science (since 1988).

Personal facts

Alias (AKA)	Gordon James Power
Birth date	March 20, 1928
Birth place	New York City , Brooklyn , New York
Date of death	June 21, 2013
Place of death	Manhattan , New York
Education	Columbia University Massachusetts Institute of Technology