Alan J. Heeger Papers, ca. 1952-2003, bulk 1980-2000

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Summary

Creators:
Heeger, Alan J.
Abstract:
The Alan J. Heeger papers contain a large number of drafts, manuscripts, and correspondence relating to journal articles, conference papers, and patent applications, including files on his Nobel Prize-winning work. Also included are some materials from Heeger's college days and his work as an instructor at UCSB.
Extent:
23.4 linear feet (58 document boxes and 1 half-sized document box).
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Alan J. Papers. UArch FacP 39. Department of Special Collections, Davidson Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Background

Scope and content:

The Alan J. Heeger papers contain a large number of drafts, manuscripts, and correspondence relating to journal articles, conference papers, and patent applications, including files on his Nobel Prize-winning work. Also included are some materials from Heeger's college days and his work as an instructor at UCSB.

The collection is arranged in the following series:

  • Series I, Manuscripts, includes drafts, final copies, figures, and correspondence relating to articles published by Heeger and his colleagues. Not all articles are authored by Heeger. Arranged alphabetically (as received) by article title.
  • Series II, Conferences, includes drafts of papers submitted to conferences by Heeger and his colleagues, correspondence relating to conferences, and copies of conference publications. Arranged chronologically by conference date.
  • Series III, Patent Documentation, includes drafts of and amendments to patent applications by Heeger and his colleagues, as well as correspondence relating to the patents. Arranged chronologically according to date filed with the University of California and/or US Patent Office.
  • Series IV, Overheads, contains overheads from course and conferences presentations, arranged alphabetically by subject title.
  • Series V, Notebooks, contains early class notes and papers from Heeger's college career.
Biographical / historical:

Alan J. Heeger is currently a Professor of Physics and the Director of the Institute for Polymers and Organic Solids at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2000 along with his colleagues Alan MacDiarmid and Hideki Shirakawa for their work in the field of conductive polymers.

Heeger was born on January 22, 1936 in Sioux City, Iowa. He received a dual bachelor's degree in Physics and Mathematics from the University of Nebraska in 1957. In 1961, he received his PhD in Physics from the University of California, Berkeley while working for Lockheed Space and Missile Division. He joined the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania the following year, where he remained for twenty years. In 1975, Heeger met Alan MacDiarmid and together they began work in the field of metallic polymers. On a visit to Japan, MacDiarmid met Hideki Shirakawa, who came to the University of Pennsylvania as a Visiting Scientist.

Heeger left the University of Pennsylvania for UC Santa Barbara in 1982 and became part of the new Physics Department. Several years later, he assisted in developing the Macromolecular division of the new Materials Department. In 1986, Heeger and his colleagues encouraged Paul Smith of DuPont Central Research to join him at UC Santa Barbara and in 1990, they founded the UNIAX Corporation to develop commercial products from polymer materials, which was later acquired by DuPont.

Heeger's research at UC Santa Barbara covers the fields of conducting and semiconducting polymers, including research in polymer light-emitting diodes, light-emitting electrochemical cells and lasers, photoluminescent and electroluminescent studies, photoconductivity, and spectroscopic studies.

Heeger has been married to his wife Ruth for over forty years. His two sons also work in the sciences: David Heeger is a neuroscientist and Peter Heeger is an immunologist.

For more biographical information see also the following:

Acquisition information:
Undetermined.
Physical location:
Del Sur, University Archives, 29B.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

None.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Department of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.

Preferred citation:

Alan J. Papers. UArch FacP 39. Department of Special Collections, Davidson Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Location of this collection:
UC Santa Barbara Library
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9010, US
Contact:
(805) 893-3062
special@library.ucsb.edu
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