Serber’s professional trajectory took a significant turn when he joined J. Robert Oppenheimer at the University of California, Berkeley. Oppenheimer, already an established physicist, recognized Serber's potential and invited him to collaborate on various research projects. This partnership proved to be a decisive factor in Serber’s later involvement in the Manhattan Project. When the United States began mobilizing scientific resources to develop the atomic bomb, Oppenheimer, appointed as the scientific director of the project, brought Serber to Los Alamos in 1941. At Los Alamos, Serber’s role was not just that of a researcher but also an educator. His series of lectures, known as "The Los Alamos Primer," were essential in bringing together scientists from diverse backgrounds and focusing their efforts on the complex challenge of building an atomic bomb. These lectures covered everything from basic nuclear physics to the specific design challenges of the bomb, helping to create a common understanding among the project's participants.
Beyond his theoretical contributions, Serber was deeply involved in the practical aspects of the Manhattan Project. He developed the first comprehensive theory of bomb assembly hydrodynamics, which was crucial for understanding how the bomb's components would behave under the extreme conditions of detonation. Moreover, Serber played a key role in the design and construction of the bombs, ensuring that theoretical concepts were successfully translated into functional weapons. His work extended to creating the code names for the bomb designs: “Little Boy,” the uranium-based bomb dropped on Hiroshima; “Thin Man,” an earlier design that was later abandoned; and "Fat Man," the plutonium bomb dropped on Nagasaki.
After the war, Serber faced the challenge of reconciling his contributions to the development of nuclear weapons with the moral implications of their use. He returned briefly to the University of California, Berkeley, but soon accepted a position as a professor of physics at Columbia University in 1951, where he continued his academic career. Despite his direct involvement in the Manhattan Project, Serber later became an advocate for arms control, reflecting his nuanced views on the ethical dimensions of atomic energy. His support for initiatives aimed at reducing the nuclear threat underscored the complexity of his legacy—a legacy that is marked by both scientific achievement and a deep awareness of the responsibilities that come with such knowledge.
Robert Serber passed away on June 1, 1997, in New York City. He left behind a rich legacy that encompasses not only his contributions to physics but also his reflections on the ethical challenges posed by the use of atomic energy. His life and work continue to serve as a testament to the profound impact of science on global history and the ongoing debate about the role of scientists in society.
Robert Serber: Architect of the Atomic Age
