Georges Charpak (Ժորժ Շառփաք, 1924–2010) was a French-Armenian physicist whose groundbreaking work in particle detection earned him the 1992 Nobel Prize in Physics. Renowned for inventing the multiwire proportional chamber, Charpak transformed experimental high-energy physics and became one of the most celebrated scientists of the 20th century.
Early Life and Armenian Heritage
Georges Charpak was born on August 1, 1924, in Dąbrowica, Poland (now in Ukraine) to an Armenian family. His parents had fled the Ottoman Empire during the Armenian Genocide and settled in Eastern Europe. In 1932, the family emigrated to France, where Charpak grew up in Paris.
He showed early academic promise, developing an interest in science and mathematics.
World War II and Resistance Activity
When Nazi Germany occupied France, Charpak joined the French Resistance as a teenager. In 1943, he was arrested by the Gestapo and deported to the Dachau concentration camp. He survived the war and returned to France, determined to continue his education and contribute to society.
Academic Journey and Scientific Career
After the war, Charpak enrolled at the École des Mines de Paris, graduating in 1948. He soon joined the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and later became a researcher at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) in Geneva.
His early work focused on nuclear physics, but he soon turned to the problem of particle detection—how to record the fleeting traces of subatomic particles more accurately.
The Multiwire Proportional Chamber
In 1968, Georges Charpak invented the multiwire proportional chamber, a revolutionary detector that replaced traditional bubble chambers and cloud chambers.
This device allowed physicists to record particle interactions with unprecedented precision and speed, making large-scale particle physics experiments possible. His invention became a cornerstone of research at CERN and other laboratories, paving the way for discoveries in high-energy and nuclear physics.
Nobel Prize in Physics, 1992
In recognition of his pioneering contributions, Charpak was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1992. The Nobel Committee honored him “for his invention and development of particle detectors, in particular the multiwire proportional chamber.”
He was the first Armenian-born Nobel laureate in science, and his achievement brought pride not only to France but also to the global Armenian community.
Later Life, Education Advocacy, and Legacy
Beyond his research, Charpak was passionate about science education. He campaigned for reforms in teaching methods and co-authored books aimed at making science more accessible to young students. His efforts helped inspire a new generation of scientists in France.
Georges Charpak passed away on September 29, 2010, in Paris. He is remembered as a brilliant physicist, Holocaust survivor, resistance fighter, and proud representative of the Armenian diaspora.
His legacy lives on in the instruments he created, the experiments they enabled, and the countless lives touched by his dedication to knowledge and education.