Luis Walter Alvarez Biography

Historical biography and chronological timeline for Luis Walter Alvarez, based on 5 World History Database records associated with United States of America.

5 records1937–19455 events3 places

Chronological biography

1937

Nuclear K-Electron Capture Observed1937

Science / Physics · Physicist · Berkeley

Provides the first experimental demonstration of nuclear K-electron capture by detecting characteristic X-rays following the capture of an orbital electron.

1941

Ground Controlled Approach1941

Science / Technology · Physicist · Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Develops radar landing systems for aircraft in poor visibility.

1943

Microwave Early Warning1943

Warfare / World War, 2nd · Physicist · Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Develops microwave radar systems for wartime detection and control.

1944

Exploding Bridgewire Detonator Test28 May 1944

Science / Technology · Los Alamos

A successful test of the exploding-bridgewire detonator demonstrates a way to fire many implosion detonators with the required simultaneity.

1945

X-Unit Detonation Testing2 May 1945

Science / Physics · Los Alamos

A Raytheon Mark II X-Unit arrives for testing as part of the electrical firing system for the implosion bomb.

Titles and roles

Physicist

Record provenance

This biography is assembled from World History Database records filtered by country and personal-name fields. Exact duplicate display records are removed. The database is an index rather than a complete narrative biography; formal research should verify entries against relevant primary or specialist sources.