Elmer Imes and infrared spectroscopy

The second African American to earn a PhD in physics, Imes’ work in infrared spectroscopy pinpointed the distances between atoms in molecules and helped verify quantum theory. He worked in industry and academia, advocated teaching students the history of science, and was a participant in the Harlem Renaissance. 

 

 

 

A good place to start:

• Mickens, Ronald E. "Imes, Elmer Samuel." Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography, vol. 22, Charles Scribner's Sons, 2008, pp. 6-9. Gale Virtual Reference Library, http://link.galegroup.com.ezproxy.lib.utexas.edu/apps/doc/CX2830905787/GVRL?u=txshracd2598&sid=GVRL&xid=c7df1a9f 

See also:

• https://michiganphysics.com/history/history-by-person/elmer-imes-pioneering-african-american-physicist/ 
• http://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/200811/physicshistory.cfm 
• http://www.blackpast.org/aah/imes-elmer-samuel-1883-1941
• http://www.math.buffalo.edu/mad/physics/imes_smuele.html