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Ken Krane outside

Kenneth Krane

Professor of Physics (Emeritus)
Department of Physics

Kenneth Krane

Professor of Physics (Emeritus)
Department of Physics

Ken started working with the Department of Physics in 1974. During his time at Oregon State, Ken was the chair of the physics department from 1984 to 1998, authored three textbooks and helped reestablish the Honors College after it disappeared due to statewide budget cuts in the early 1990s. He retired from Oregon State in 2003 and is now an emeritus professor.

Research

Ken's current research in nuclear physics centers around two projects. One involves the study of nuclear structure through the analysis of complex gamma decay schemes, based on the high-resolution analysis of the gamma spectra and on the determination of the angular correlations of the gamma rays to confirm spin-parity assignments and gamma-ray multipolarities.

The second area of research involves the determination of neutron capture cross sections using the neutron irradiation facilities in the reactor at the OSU Radiation Center.

Books

Modern Physics (4th ed.), K. S. Krane (Wiley, 2019).

Physics (5th ed.), D. Halliday, R. Resnick, and K. S. Krane (Wiley, 2002).

Introductory Nuclear Physics, K. S. Krane (Wiley, 1987).

Education

Ph.D., Physics, Purdue University, 1970

M.S., Physics, Purdue University, 1967

B.S., Physics, University of Arizona, 1965

Publications

  • “Cross Sections and Isomer Ratios in the Rb(n,γ) and Sr(n,γ) Reactions,” K. S. Krane, European Physical Journal A 57: 19 (2021).
  • “Gamma-ray Spectrometry in the Decays of Odd-mass Pt Isotopes Produced by Neutron Irradiation of Natural Pt,” K. S. Krane, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physical Research A 992, 165024 (2021).
  • “The Angular Correlation Factor in Gamma-Ray Coincidence Summing,” W. W. Hager IV and K. S. Krane, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physical Research A 976, 164239 (2020).
  • “Neutron Capture Cross Sections of 178Hf Leading to 179Hfm2,” K. S. Krane, Physical Review C 99, 054311 (2019).

Awards

  • Eminent Professor, Oregon State University Honors College (2008)
  • Millikan Award for Creative Teaching of Physics, American Association of Physics Teachers (2004)
  • D. Curtis Mumford Faculty Service Award, Oregon State University (1996)
  • Fellow, American Physical Society (1990)