Dr. Moo-Young Han (M.Y. Han; born 1934) is a Professor of Physics at Duke University where he has been since 1967. He received his Ph.D. in theoretical physics in 1964 from the University of Rochester. His research specialty is in the field of theoretical particle physics, with an emphasis on the symmetry principles of elementary particle physics. In 1965, Dr. Han introduced the physically realizable quarks with Dr. Yoichiro Nambu of the University of Chicago and is credited for having introduced the SU(3) symmetry for quarks, which later became known as the color symmetry of the Standard Model. The color charges of quarks provide the basis for the current theory of nuclear force, also known as quantum chromodynamics. Professor Y. Nambu shared 2008 Nobel Prize in Physics for a related work on applying the mechanism of spontaneously broken symmetry that enabled the electroweak sector of the Standard Model.
Dr. Han has authored four recent books. Three of them deal with the populaization of quantum physics and high technology of today: THE SECRET LIFE OF QUANTA (1990, McGraw-Hill, translated into Japanese and Spanish), THE PROBABLE UNIVERSE (1993, McGraw-Hill), and QUARKS AND GLUONS (1999, World Scientific). The fourth, published in 2004 explains quantum field theory to non-specialists, A STORY OF LIGHT: A Short Introduction to Quantum Field Threory of Quarks and Leptons (2004, World Scientific).
Dr. Han is a recipient of the highest teaching awards bestowed to Duke faculty, including the Duke Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award. In recent past, Dr. Han has served as the national President (1985-86) of the Association of Korean Physicists in America (AKPA) and as President (1991-92) of the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association. During 1993-95, he served as the Chair of the Outstanding Young Researcher Award Committee of AKPA. He is an honorary member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and a recipient of the 1998 Global Korea Award by the Council on Korean Studies at the Michigan State University. In May 2001, Dr. Han delivered the keynote address at the 2001 Asian Pacific Heritage Month Celebration at the US-Environmental Protection Agency in Research Tringle Park, North Carolina. The title of his keynote address was "The New New World."
Dr. Han is the founding chair of the Society of Korean-American Scholars (SKAS) and has been serving as its Editor-in-Chief.
While on leave at the University of California at Merced in the fall of 2008, Dr. Han delivered a special seminar explaining the spontaneously broken symmetry of Y. Nambu that earned Nambu the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physics Special Seminar at UC Merced.
While on leave at the Seoul National University in Korea in the fall of 2009, Dr. Han delivered a colloquim titled "Nambu and the Standard Model" and taught a special course titled "Physics for Humanities and Social Sciences Course at Seoul National University.
One of the bestselling titles at the World Scientific Publishing Co.
Y Nambu, University of Chicago
"In his new book, the author introduces us to the world of particles ... He traces the century of progress in our search for the basic units of matter as well as those of the forces that act on it, starting from the electron and photon, the first entry in the list of elementary quantum particles, and ending up with the quarks and gluons discovered in the last decades of this century. He gives the curious layman a clear understanding of the forefront of our knowledge about the structure of matter at its deepest level."
Click Quarks and Gluons
"Guiding a lay audience into the arena of the very small is complicated by quantum mechanics' basic tenet, that a particle is also a wave... 'The Probable Universe' begins with an exploration of those three principles of quantum mechanics, and Dr. Han leads the reader with ease and a steady sense of humor." - PLANETARIAN
"A much needed look at some of the basic scientific principles that
make high-technology possible." - LIBRARY JOURNAL
"The reader comes away with a deeper understanding of the exciting frontiers of science...I recommend 'The Secret Life of Quanta' to all who want a clearer view of the world we live in today, and the world that will emerge with the 21st century." - SCIENCE TEACHER
