Yves Rocard

Yves-André Rocard (born Vannes May 22 1903; died Paris March 16 1992) was a French physicist who helped develop the atomic bomb for France.

Related Topics:
Vannes - May 22 - 1903 - Paris - March 16 - 1992 - French - Atomic bomb

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After obtaining a double doctorate in mathematics (1927) and physics (1928) he was awarded the professorship in electronic physics at the École normale supérieure in Paris.

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As a member of a Resistance group during the Second World War he flew to England in a small plane as part of a dangerous mission, and was able to provide British intelligence with invaluable information. There he met up with Charles de Gaulle who named him Director of Research in the Forces Navales Françaises Libres (the Navy of Free France). He became particularly interested in the detection of solar radio emissions by English Radar, which were causing military problems by jamming detection during periods of high emission, and was able to create a new radio navigational beam station.

Related Topics:
Second World War - England - Charles de Gaulle - Forces Navales Françaises Libres - Solar - Radar

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After the war, he returned to France and became head of the physics department at the ENS. Whilst there he founded a radio observatory, having obtained two German "Wurzburg" Radar mirrors from the war.

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From 1947 he became scientific advisor to the French military on the subject of atomic energy, eventually taking over from Frédéric Joliot-Curie after his dismissal. In 1951, he became scientific head of the programme that eventually led to the development of nuclear arms, and is often known as the father of the French A-Bomb and H-bomb.

Related Topics:
Frédéric Joliot-Curie - A-Bomb - H-bomb

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Later in his career he studied subjects ranging from semiconductors to seismology. Eventually his professional reputation became tarnished by his increased research in less conventional subjects such as biomagnetism, dowsing and UFOs.

Related Topics:
Semiconductors - Seismology - Biomagnetism - Dowsing - UFO

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He was awarded the British CBE (1946), and the French Legion of Honour and Order of Merit.

Related Topics:
CBE - Legion of Honour - Order of Merit

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He is the father of Michel Rocard, prime minister of France between 1988 and 1991.

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