Kenneth Button (physicist)

Kenneth J. Button (1922-2017) was an American physicist renowned for his pioneering work in high-power millimeter and submillimeter wave technology, particularly its application to cyclotron resonance and semiconductor physics. He established and directed the National Magnet Laboratory at MIT's Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory from 1960 to 1988.

Button received his Ph.D. in Physics from Northwestern University in 1953. His research focused on developing sophisticated instrumentation and techniques for generating and measuring high-frequency electromagnetic radiation in the millimeter and submillimeter ranges. This involved building innovative components and systems capable of operating at these extreme frequencies.

His expertise was crucial in developing far-infrared lasers and high-field magneto-optical spectroscopy. His work significantly advanced the understanding of the electronic properties of semiconductors and other materials by enabling researchers to probe their behavior at previously inaccessible wavelengths and magnetic field strengths. He was instrumental in developing tunable narrowband filters and millimeter wave sources.

Button was a prolific author, publishing extensively on millimeter wave technology, magneto-optics, and semiconductor physics. He also served as a consultant to numerous government agencies and private companies. His contributions were recognized with numerous awards and honors, cementing his legacy as a leader in his field.