Robert L. Forward: Difference between revisions

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Added section for scientific publications and some of his most cited Scientific works from Physical Review, along with interesting writings(feel free to add more) and added section about contributions to Zero-point energy
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====Forward Mass Detector====
====Forward Mass Detector====
Forward's extensive work in the field of [[gravitational wave]] detection included the invention of the rotating cruciform gravity gradiometer or 'Forward Mass Detector', for Lunar [[Mass concentration (astronomy)|Mascon]] (mass concentration) measurements. The gravity gradiometer is described in the well-known textbook ''[[Gravitation (book)|Gravitation]]'' by Misner, Thorne & Wheeler. The principle behind it is quite simple; getting the implementation right is tricky. Essentially, two beams are crossed over and connected with an axle through their crossing point. They are held at right angles to each other by springs. They have heavy masses at the ends of the beams, and the whole assembly spun around the common axle at high speed. The angle between the beams is measured continuously, and if it varies with a period half that of the rotation period, it means that the detector is experiencing a measurable gravitational field gradient.
Forward's extensive work in the field of [[gravitational wave]] detection included the invention of the rotating cruciform gravity gradiometer or 'Forward Mass Detector', for Lunar [[Mass concentration (astronomy)|Mascon]] (mass concentration) measurements. The gravity gradiometer is described in the well-known textbook ''[[Gravitation (book)|Gravitation]]'' by Misner, Thorne & Wheeler. The principle behind it is quite simple; getting the implementation right is tricky. Essentially, two beams are crossed over and connected with an axle through their crossing point. They are held at right angles to each other by springs. They have heavy masses at the ends of the beams, and the whole assembly spun around the common axle at high speed. The angle between the beams is measured continuously, and if it varies with a period half that of the rotation period, it means that the detector is experiencing a measurable gravitational field gradient.

====Vacuum Fluctuation Battery====
In 1984, Forward published his theoretical design for a "Casimir battery", utilizing the electromagnetic [[Zero-point energy]] and the attractive force associated. The Casimir force would pull the plates together, if the plates were charged with same polarity and the electrostatic force applied to the plates is adjusted. The Casemir force will pull the plates together increasing the electric field between each plate and producing a voltage. The battery could be "recharged" by increasing the electrostatic force, pushing the plates apart.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Forward |first1=Robert L. |title=Extracting electrical energy from the vacuum by cohesion of charged foliated conductors |journal=Physical Review B |date=15 August 1984 |volume=30 |issue=4 |pages=1700–1702 |doi=10.1103/PhysRevB.30.1700 |url=https://journals.aps.org/prb/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevB.30.1700}}</ref>


===Fiction===
===Fiction===
In addition to more than 200 papers and articles, he published 11 novels. Critics' reviews were mixed, always praising the science concepts and the aliens he created, but often finding the plots thin and the humans shallow.<ref name="Oliver2002Obit" />
In addition to more than 200 papers and articles, he published 11 novels. Critics' reviews were mixed, always praising the science concepts and the aliens he created, but often finding the plots thin and the humans shallow.<ref name="Oliver2002Obit" />
His treatment of hard-science topics in fictional form is highly reminiscent of the work of [[Hal Clement]]. He described his first novel, ''[[Dragon's Egg]]'', as "a textbook on neutron star physics disguised as a novel." His novel ''[[Rocheworld]]'' describes a double-planet system with a single shared atmosphere and ocean, and a [[beam-powered propulsion]] interstellar space ship to get there. Forward co-authored two Rocheworld novels with his wife, [[Martha Dodson Forward]], and two additional Rocheworld novels with his second daughter, Julie Fuller. Forward also helped [[Larry Niven]] calculate the parameters of the [[The Smoke Ring (novel)|Smoke Ring]] for his novel ''[[The Integral Trees]]''.
His treatment of hard-science topics in fictional form is highly reminiscent of the work of [[Hal Clement]]. He described his first novel, ''[[Dragon's Egg]]'', as "a textbook on neutron star physics disguised as a novel." His novel ''[[Rocheworld]]'' describes a double-planet system with a single shared atmosphere and ocean, and a [[beam-powered propulsion]] interstellar space ship to get there. Forward co-authored two Rocheworld novels with his wife, [[Martha Dodson Forward]], and two additional Rocheworld novels with his second daughter, Julie Fuller. Forward also helped [[Larry Niven]] calculate the parameters of the [[The Smoke Ring (novel)|Smoke Ring]] for his novel ''[[The Integral Trees]]''. Much of his scientific research in speculative physics serves as inspiration for science fiction, many of his ideas on [[Zero-point energy]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Forward |first1=Robert |title=Apparent Endless Extraction of Energy from the Vacuum by Cyclic Manipulation of Casimir Cavity Dimensions |url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19990023210 |date=January 1, 1999|website=ntrs.nasa.gov}}
</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Forward |first1=Robert L. |title=Extracting electrical energy from the vacuum by cohesion of charged foliated conductors |journal=Physical Review B |date=15 August 1984 |volume=30 |issue=4 |pages=1700–1702 |doi=10.1103/PhysRevB.30.1700 |url=https://journals.aps.org/prb/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevB.30.1700}}</ref>, [[Interstellar travel]] and propulsion can be found in contemporary and modern scientific fiction.


===Personal life===
===Personal life===
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==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==

===Selected Scientific Works===

*{{cite web |last1=Forward |first1=Robert L. |title=Wideband laser-interferometer graviational-radiation experiment |url=https://journals.aps.org/prd/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevD.17.379 |website=Physical Review D |pages=379–390 |doi=10.1103/PhysRevD.17.379 |date=15 January 1978}}
*{{cite web |last1=Forward |first1=Robert L. |title=Flattening spacetime near the Earth |url=https://journals.aps.org/prd/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevD.26.735 |website=Physical Review D |pages=735–744 |doi=10.1103/PhysRevD.26.735 |date=15 August 1982}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Cramer |first1=John G. |last2=Forward |first2=Robert L. |last3=Morris |first3=Michael S. |last4=Visser |first4=Matt |last5=Benford |first5=Gregory |last6=Landis |first6=Geoffrey A. |title=Natural wormholes as gravitational lenses |journal=Physical Review D |date=15 March 1995 |volume=51 |issue=6 |pages=3117–3120 |doi=10.1103/PhysRevD.51.3117 |url=https://journals.aps.org/prd/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevD.51.3117}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Forward |first1=Robert L. |last2=Berman |first2=David |title=Gravitational-Radiation Detection Range for Binary Stellar Systems |journal=Physical Review Letters |date=12 June 1967 |volume=18 |issue=24 |pages=1071–1074 |doi=10.1103/PhysRevLett.18.1071 |url=https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.18.1071}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Forward |first1=Robert L. |title=Extracting electrical energy from the vacuum by cohesion of charged foliated conductors |journal=Physical Review B |date=15 August 1984 |volume=30 |issue=4 |pages=1700–1702 |doi=10.1103/PhysRevB.30.1700 |url=https://journals.aps.org/prb/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevB.30.1700}}
*{{cite web |last1=Forward |first1=Robert |title=Apparent Endless Extraction of Energy from the Vacuum by Cyclic Manipulation of Casimir Cavity Dimensions |url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19990023210 |date=January 1, 1999|website=ntrs.nasa.gov}}


===Dragon's Egg series===
===Dragon's Egg series===

Revision as of 18:43, 4 February 2021

This article is about the physicist and science fiction writer. For the writer, director, and producer (his son), see
Robert D. Forward
.
Robert L. Forward
Hughes Aircraft
Tethers Unlimited, Inc.
Doctoral advisorJoseph Weber
David Mandeen Zipoy

Robert Lull Forward (August 15, 1932 – September 21, 2002) was an American

aerospace engineer. He also made important contributions to gravitational wave detection research.[2]

Biography

Forward earned his doctorate from the

gravitational radiation.[3]

Career and research

He then went to work at the research labs of

Hughes Aircraft, where he continued his research on gravity measurement and received 18 patents. He took early retirement in 1987, to focus on his fiction writing and consulting for such clients as NASA and the U.S. Air Force. In 1994, he co-founded the company Tethers Unlimited, Inc. with Robert P. Hoyt
, where he served as Chief Scientist and Chairman until 2002.

Much of his research focused on the leading edges of speculative physics but was always grounded in what he believed humans could accomplish. He worked on such projects as

drain the Van Allen Belts
.

Forward Mass Detector

Forward's extensive work in the field of gravitational wave detection included the invention of the rotating cruciform gravity gradiometer or 'Forward Mass Detector', for Lunar Mascon (mass concentration) measurements. The gravity gradiometer is described in the well-known textbook Gravitation by Misner, Thorne & Wheeler. The principle behind it is quite simple; getting the implementation right is tricky. Essentially, two beams are crossed over and connected with an axle through their crossing point. They are held at right angles to each other by springs. They have heavy masses at the ends of the beams, and the whole assembly spun around the common axle at high speed. The angle between the beams is measured continuously, and if it varies with a period half that of the rotation period, it means that the detector is experiencing a measurable gravitational field gradient.

Vacuum Fluctuation Battery

In 1984, Forward published his theoretical design for a "Casimir battery", utilizing the electromagnetic Zero-point energy and the attractive force associated. The Casimir force would pull the plates together, if the plates were charged with same polarity and the electrostatic force applied to the plates is adjusted. The Casemir force will pull the plates together increasing the electric field between each plate and producing a voltage. The battery could be "recharged" by increasing the electrostatic force, pushing the plates apart.[4]

Fiction

In addition to more than 200 papers and articles, he published 11 novels. Critics' reviews were mixed, always praising the science concepts and the aliens he created, but often finding the plots thin and the humans shallow.[3] His treatment of hard-science topics in fictional form is highly reminiscent of the work of Hal Clement. He described his first novel, Dragon's Egg, as "a textbook on neutron star physics disguised as a novel." His novel Rocheworld describes a double-planet system with a single shared atmosphere and ocean, and a beam-powered propulsion interstellar space ship to get there. Forward co-authored two Rocheworld novels with his wife, Martha Dodson Forward, and two additional Rocheworld novels with his second daughter, Julie Fuller. Forward also helped Larry Niven calculate the parameters of the Smoke Ring for his novel The Integral Trees. Much of his scientific research in speculative physics serves as inspiration for science fiction, many of his ideas on Zero-point energy[5][6], Interstellar travel and propulsion can be found in contemporary and modern scientific fiction.

Personal life

Forward's son,

Beast Wars
. He is also the author of two novels, The Owl and The Owl 2: Scarlet Serenade.

Forward's youngest, Eve Forward, has written two novels: Villains by Necessity and Animist.

Death

In 2001, Forward received a diagnosis of terminal cancer. He died on September 21, 2002.[7]

Bibliography

Selected Scientific Works

Dragon's Egg series

  1. Dragon's Egg (1980)
  2. Starquake
     (1985)

Both collected in an omnibus edition Dragon's Egg & Starquake (1994)

Rocheworld series

1. Rocheworld (Baen, 1990) 155,000 words, originally published in these iterations:
Rocheworld (1981) original manuscript, 150,000 words
Rocheworld (Analog, 1982) 60,000 words
The Flight of the Dragonfly (Timescape, 1984) hardcover, ~100,000 words
The Flight of the Dragonfly (Baen, 1985) paperback, 110,000 words
2. Return to Rocheworld (1993) with Julie Forward Fuller
3. Marooned on Eden (1993) with Martha Dodson Forward[n 1]
4. Ocean Under the Ice (1994) with Martha Dodson Forward
5. Rescued from Paradise (1995) with Julie Forward Fuller

Novels

Collection (contains both fiction and essays)

  • Indistinguishable from Magic
     (1995)

Non-fiction

Forward also wrote many articles in scientific journals and filed many patents, mainly while working for

Hughes Aircraft
.

See also

Further reading

Archival resources

Notes

  1. ^ Baen Books mistakenly put "Margaret Dodson Forward" instead of "Martha Dodson Forward" on the cover of the book. The title page in the book has her name correctly as "Martha".

References

  1. doi:10.1063/1.1611362
    .
  2. doi:10.1103/PhysRevD.17.379
    .
  3. ^ a b Oliver, Myrna (September 24, 2002). "Robert L. Forward, 70; Physicist Wrote 11 Science Fiction Novels". Los Angeles Times. pp. 1–2. Retrieved March 5, 2010.
  4. doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.30.1700
    .
  5. ^ Forward, Robert (January 1, 1999). "Apparent Endless Extraction of Energy from the Vacuum by Cyclic Manipulation of Casimir Cavity Dimensions". ntrs.nasa.gov.
  6. doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.30.1700
    .
  7. ^ Tethers Unlimited (September 21, 2002). "Obituary: Dr. Robert L. Forward". SpaceRef. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  8. J. Lloyd Eaton Collection Newsletter. Vol. 1, no. 1. University of California, Riverside
    . Summer 1988.

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to Robert L. Forward.
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