Roy Gordon

Professor Gordon studied chemical physics at Harvard with Professor J. H. Van Vleck. Following a Junior Fellowship at Toronto and Brussels, he returned to Harvard, where he has served as Chairman of the Department of Chemistry and is the Thomas D. Cabot Professor of Chemistry. His research has spanned a wide range of subjects from applied mathematics to quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, intermolecular forces, solid state and materials science. His theoretical work has lead to a better understanding of bonding in molecules and solids, and to predictions of new solid phases and phase transitions. The chemical kinetics of crystal growth from vapor systems are being studied both theoretically and experimentally in his laboratory. His discoveries of new materials and vapor deposition processes are widely used commercially for making thin films in solar cells, energy-conserving window coatings, display devices and semiconductor electronics.