The objective of this Science Prize is to promote and recognise the novel work of young scientists conducting research employing low temperature, high magnetic fields or surface science research in North America and Latin America.
Quantum Design Oxford, the world leader in the supply of superconducting magnets and low temperature cryogenic systems, has been proudly presenting The Lee Osheroff Richardson (LOR) Science Prize for North America and Latin America for 17 years. This prize aims to promote and recognise the novel work of young scientists working in low temperatures and/or high magnetic fields in the Americas. We are aware that the critical stage between completing a PhD and gaining a permanent research position can be difficult for many young scientists. Through The LOR Science Prize, we seek to help individuals who are already producing innovative work at this stage in their careers, both by financially contributing to their research and promoting it through this prestigious award.
The Lee Osheroff Richardson Science Prize for North America and Latin America is named after David M. Lee, Douglas D. Osheroff and Robert C. Richardson who were joint winners of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1996, for their discovery of superfluidity in 3He.
They conducted the Nobel prize winning research in the early 1970's in the low temperature laboratory at Cornell University using apparatus they had built to produce sample temperatures within a few thousandths of a degree of absolute zero. Their findings proved that the helium isotope 3He can be made superfluid at a temperature only about two thousandths of a degree above absolute zero. The discovery initiated intensive research on the special characteristics of the new quantum liquid. Lee, Osheroff and Richardson have also received, among other awards, the Sir Francis Simon Memorial Prize 1976 (Institute of Physics UK), and the Oliver E. Buckley Solid State Physics Prize 1980 (American Physical Society), for the discovery of superfluidity in 3He.
Quantum Design Oxford would like to thank David M. Lee, Douglas D. Osheroff and the late Robert C. Richardson for permission to name the prize after them.
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