1999 Seaborg Award: Karl-Ludwig Kratz

Award Statement C&EN (Pages 3-4)

Kratz received a diploma in chemistry in 1966 from the University of Mainz and completed his thesis at the Institute for Nuclear Chemistry in 1967. He received a Ph.D. degree summa cum laude in 1972 from Mainz.

In his early career, Kratz worked on fast-chemical separation of fission products and performed a vast number of experiments to determine β-strength functions and decay properties of neutron-rich unstable isotopes. In all, he has led or participated in studies of more than 40 new isotopes at research reactors and experimental facilities around the world.

Kratz also is acknowledged for making strong contributions in the use of β, γ, and neutron spectroscopy on nuclides separated chemically, with laser ion source isotope online mass separators, and with projectile fragmentation. His work on developing neutron spectroscopy in particular is recognized as elevating that technique to a valuable high-resolution method.

One of his most notable theoretical contributions has been to develop the concept of “shell quenching,” which has pro vided evidence for the notion that nuclear shell structures evolve and dramatically change as the neutron-proton ratio of a nuclide increases.

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