Michael Berry
By: Nadine Lochtefeld
March 14th, 1941-present
Degrees:
BSc in physics from the University of Exeter
PhD from the University of St. Andrews
Major Contributions to Physics:
Maxwell Medal/Prize, institute of Physics, 1978
Elected fellow of the Royal Society of London, 1982
Dirac medal/Prize, institute of Physics, 1990
Lilienfield prize, American Physical Society, 1990
Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa, University of Glasgow, 2007
Summary of his Research
Michael Berry was important to science because he not only was rewarded the title of Doctor of Science, but he also created the Berry Phase, a phenomenon observed in quantum mechanics and optics. His work influenced current science by creating a phase difference acquired over the course of a cycle.