The first class in physics was offered during the 1910-1911 session. The department was charged with the task of developing classes designed to meet the physical science needs of all University colleges. The purchase of seismic instruments, the establishment of a campus weather station, and the planning and construction of the Physics Building were achieved during the department's first decade. Faculty interests in the 1920s and 1930s served as the foundation for much of the department's future research. Expertise in meteorology, climatology, and the physics of the aurora led to the creation of the Institute of Upper Atmospheric Physics (1956), the Institute of Space and Atmospheric Studies (1965), and the Space Engineering Division (SED Ltd) in 1965. Interest in nuclear physics led to the purchase of the Betatron (1948), the first non-commercial cobalt-60 unit for cancer treatment (1952), and the linear accelerator (1964). The following have served as head of the department: J.L. Hogg (1911-1919); A.G. McGougan (1919-1924); E.L. Harrington (1924-1952); B.W. Currie (1952-1961); R.N.H. Haslam (1961-1964); L. Katz (1956-1976); R. Montalbetti (9176-1991); E.J. Llewellyn (1991-1993); H.S. Caplan (1993- ).
published
legacy ID f2043
This fonds contains reports, correspondence, minutes, blue prints, and a visitor's book regarding the planning for and opening of the Betatron Project. Also included are a CBC film and a four magnetic tapes regarding the opening of the Linear Accelerator. Another subgroup includes meteorological records kept by the department between 1900 and 1968. A third subgroup includes the log books of Dr. Balfour Currie regarding his research of auroras during the Second International Polar Year (1932-1933).
Further accruals expected.
Personal material relating to faculty, staff and students is restricted.
Finding aid available: file title list only.