Mayer Hall Recognized for Historical Contributions to Physics

American Physical Society cites the groundbreaking work of UC San Diego physicists Walter Kohn and Lu Sham. The American Physical Society has designated UC San Diego's Mayer Hall as a historic site in recognition of research conducted by physicists Walter Kohn and Lu Jeu Sham on density functional theory. Their development of the "Kohn-Sham equation" inside Mayer Hall became the foundation for the computation of the material properties of electrons and nuclei. "I recall the happy times in Mayer Hall working with Walter Kohn developing the 'Kohn-Sham equation' and with Philip B. Y. Tong doing the first computation. It is amazing that so many scientists and engineers build on the method to develop a quantitative understanding of all kinds of materials hence," said Sham, a UC San Diego distinguished professor emeritus of physics. Understanding the electronic properties of complex systems is essential to the design and engineering of new materials and drugs.