#  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.



 

##  Latest News 

 



  [### Xian Gong's Thesis Defense February 23, 2022

 ](/news/xian-gongs-thesis-defense-february-23-2022) June 15, 2022 

 

 

 

   ![Xian defense](/sites/g/files/omnuum7801/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/gordon/files/xian_defense_pic_03.jpg?itok=6b2_AGiL) 

 



 

 

   [### Rhino Volleyball with the Aziz and Gordon Groups

 ](/news/rhino-volleyball-aziz-and-gordon-groups) August 04, 2021 

 

 

 

   ![Rhino](/sites/g/files/omnuum7801/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/gordon/files/volleyball_4.jpg?itok=W1hG0m-j) 

 



 

 

   [### Harvard students share thoughts on environmental challenges

 ](/news/harvard-students-share-thoughts-environmental-challenges) May 18, 2021 

 Gordon Group Eliza Spear speaks on energy and greenhouse-gas emissions. By Alvin Powell For many, thinking about the world’s environmental future brings concern, even outright alarm. There have been, after all, decades of increasingly strident warnings by... 

 

 

   ![Eliza Spear](/sites/g/files/omnuum7801/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/gordon/files/earth_day_03-768x512_-_eliza.jpg?itok=E5-NgHPL) 

 



 

 

   [### Min Wu's Thesis Defense, Congratulations!

 ](/news/min-wus-thesis-defense-congratulations) April 29, 2021 

 

 

 

   ![Min](/sites/g/files/omnuum7801/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/gordon/files/min_defense.png?itok=rTcLSYHm) 

 



 

 

   [### A treasured colleague

 ](/news/treasured-colleague) July 15, 2020 

 Harvard honors Professor Roy Gordon's legacy with a new endowed title By Caitlin McDermott-Murphy Roy Gordon can no longer leave Harvard University. Though he will choose to retire and depart at some point in the future, when he does, his name will remain... 

 

 

   ![Roy_office](/sites/g/files/omnuum7801/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/gordon/files/roy_gordon_in_his_office_sm.jpg?itok=84Oo6l3A) 

 



 

 

   [### A captain for our planet

 ](/news/captain-our-planet) May 27, 2020 

 How Christina Chang shifted from cold showers to tech development in her quest for a more sustainable world. By Caitlin McDermott-Murphy As a kid, Christina Chang was already a mini-sustainability activist. She recycled and reused. She turned lights off... 

 

 

   ![Christina Chang](/sites/g/files/omnuum7801/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/gordon/files/peru_saving_amazon_rain_forest_harvard_course_square.jpg?itok=3WVRt_dd) 

 



 

 

  

 

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