Edward Teller (born 15.01.1908) was an American physicist and a member of the National Academy of Sciences (1948). He was born in Budapest. He studied at the Polytechnic in Karlsruhe (1926 — 28) and graduated from the University of Leipzig (1930). In 1931—35 he worked in Leipzig, Göttingen, Copenhagen and London. In 1935—41 he was professor at George Washington University, in 1941—42 at Columbia University, in 1942 — 46 he worked on the Manhattan Project, and in 1946 —52 he was professor at the University of Chicago (in 1949 — 52 also at the Los Alamos Laboratory). In 1953 —75 he was professor at the University of California at Berkeley, and in 1954—75 deputy director of the Livermore Radiation Laboratory.
His research was in the fields of quantum mechanics, nuclear physics, the problem of controlled thermonuclear fusion, the spectroscopy of polyatomic molecules, physical chemistry, cosmic-ray physics and elementary-particle physics. Together with G. Gamow he proposed in 1936 selection rules in the theory of beta decay. In 1937, together with H. Jahn, he formulated a theorem defining the conditions for the stability of symmetric configurations of molecules (the Jahn—Teller theorem).
He developed (1937) the theory of neutron scattering by ortho- and parahydrogen. He suggested that in beta-stable nuclei the region of the neutron distribution must be larger than that of the proton distribution. Independently of others he postulated (1947) the existence of mesic atoms. Together with M. Goldhaber he predicted in 1948 resonance scattering by a nucleus (the giant resonance).
He took part in the creation of the American atomic and hydrogen bombs; the hydrogen bomb in particular was built under his direct leadership. He spoke against a ban on nuclear tests in three environments and against détente, for the build-up of new systems of nuclear weapons, and more recently he has spoken in favour of the deployment of laser weapons in space.