Fonds RG 2043 - Department of Physics fonds

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Department of Physics fonds

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Level of description

Fonds

Reference code

RG 2043

Edition area

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Statement of scale (cartographic)

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Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

Dates of creation area

Date(s)

  • 1900-1974, predominant 1932-1974 (Creation)

Physical description area

Physical description

4.38 m of textual records. - 1 film reel. - 4 magnetic tapes

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Archival description area

Name of creator

(1910-)

Administrative history

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- ).

Custodial history

Scope and content

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).

Notes area

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Availability of other formats

Restrictions on access

Personal material relating to faculty, staff and students is restricted.

Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

Finding aids

Finding aid available: file title list only.

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Accruals

Further accruals expected.

Alternative identifier(s)

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