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American physicist (1918–2015) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Richard Freeman Post (November 14, 1918 – April 7, 2015) was an American physicist notable for his work in nuclear fusion, plasma physics, magnetic mirrors, magnetic levitation, magnetic bearing design and direct energy conversion.[2]
Richard F. Post | |
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![]() Richard F. Post c. 1982 | |
Born | Richard Freeman Post November 14, 1918[1] Pomona, California, U.S. |
Died | April 7, 2015 96)[1] Walnut Creek, California, U.S. | (aged
Nationality | American |
Education | Pomona College (B.S.) Stanford University (Ph.D.) |
Spouse | Marylee Post |
Children | 3; including Markie |
Relatives | Descendants of Robert Coe |
Awards | |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Nuclear fusion, plasma physics, magnetic mirrors, magnetic levitation, magnetic bearing design, direct energy conversion |
Institutions | Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory |
Post was a winner of the James Clerk Maxwell Prize for Plasma Physics[3] and led the controlled thermonuclear research group at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for 23 years. He held a total of 34 patents in the fields of nuclear fusion, particle accelerators, and electronic and mechanical energy storage.[4]
Post was born in Pomona, California, the son of Miriam (Colcord) and Freeman Post.[5][6] He is a descendant of colonist Robert Coe.[7][8] He received a BA in physics from Pomona College in 1940 and a PhD in physics from Stanford University in 1951. After his PhD, he was inspired to pursue fusion energy research by a college professor.[9]
Post joined the staff at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) as leader of the controlled thermonuclear research group until 1974.[5] During this time, he developed many of the concepts behind magnetic mirrors and direct energy conversion.[2] He worked with Marshall Rosenbluth to develop the stability of plasma inside mirror machines.[10] From 1974 to 1987 he was deputy associate director of the magnetic fusion energy program at LLNL. This was a heavily funded effort by the United States Department of Energy to build a succession of magnetic mirror machines, including the Mirror Fusion Test Facility (MFTF) and the Tandem Mirror Facility. After 1987, Post was senior scientist in the magnetic fusion energy program.[5] He has held advisory roles at NASA, the National Academy of Sciences and the United States Air Force.[5]
His notable work includes inductrack[11][12][13] and magnetically levitated flywheels.[14]
Post and his wife Marylee (a poet) are the parents of actress Markie Post and her two brothers,[15] Steve and Rodney.[4] Although he retired in 1994, Post continued to work in his lab four days a week, up until the week of his death on April 7, 2015.[4]
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