Chien-Shiung Wu
Chien-Shiung Wu (May 31, 1912 - February 16, 1997) was a Chinese-American experimental physicist renowned for her decisive contributions to nuclear physics and particle physics. She is best known for the Wu experiment (1956), which conclusively demonstrated the violation of parity symmetry in the weak interaction, fundamentally reshaping the understanding of the basic laws of nature. Her precise measurements confirmed the theoretical predictions of Tsung-Dao Lee and Chen-Ning Yang and marked a milestone in 20th-century physics. She also made significant contributions to the study of beta decay and to high-precision experimental techniques at low temperatures.
Quotes
- There is only one thing worse than coming home from the lab to a sink full of dirty dishes, and that is not going to the lab at all!
- Beta decay was... like a dear old friend. There would always be a special place in my heart reserved especially for it.