Burton Richter

“The sun doesn't shine at night, and wind power is highly variable. To meet our emissions goals, we're going to have to grasp every arrow in the quiver, and nuclear is one of those arrows.”

“Iran wants to join the group of countries that want to know about the biggest things, like space.”

“During my years at the synchrotron laboratory, I had become interested in the theory of quantum electrodynamics and had decided that what I would most like to do after completing my disserta...”

“I've become interested in the impact of climate change on the world and the future of energy needs for the developing world.”

“Since stepping down as laboratory director in 1999, I have devoted an increasing fraction of my time to international issues. I am involved with energy, environment, and sustainability issue...”

“I was born on 22 March 1931 in New York, the elder child of Abraham and Fanny Richter.”

“The reason why Three Mile Island makes such a big impact is because of a Jane Fonda movie called 'The China Syndrome.'”

“During my first year as a graduate student, we worked on a measurement of the isotope shift and hyperfine structure of mercury isotopes.”

“What lots of people have been trying to do ever since is find what's beyond the current Standard Model. So far, it has stood impervious to all attacks.”

“Modern science is fast-moving, and no laboratory can exist for long with a program based on old facilities. Innovation and renewal are required to keep a laboratory on the frontiers of scien...”

“So now, if we don't fund the physical sciences, where will the Next Big Thing come from?”

“While a lab director can get done the things that he regards as important, he has the more important job of bringing out the best ideas of the broader scientific community. I learned this ea...”

“In 1948 I entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, undecided between studies of chemistry and physics, but my first year convinced me that physics was more interesting to me.”