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Richard F. W. BaderCanadian quantum chemist
Date of Birth: 15.10.1931
Country:  Canada |
Content:
Richard Bader: The Pioneer of Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM)
Early Life and Education
Richard Baderwas born in Kitchener, Canada, in 1931. He obtained his Bachelor's degree in 1953 and Master's degree in 1955 from McMaster University under the guidance of Arthur Borns. In 1958, he earned a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and pursued further studies in theoretical chemistry at Cambridge University under Christopher Longuet-Higgins.
Academic Career
In 1959, Bader joined the University of Ottawa as an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry. He was promoted to associate professor in 1962 and moved to McMaster University in the same role in 1963. He became a full professor in 1966 and received the title of Professor Emeritus in 1996.
Contributions to Quantum Chemistry
Bader is renowned for developing the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM). This theory provides a physical interpretation of fundamental chemical concepts such as the "atom" and "chemical bond" based on the topology of the electron density function in three-dimensional space. QTAIM has significantly advanced our understanding of molecular structure and bonding.
Recognitions and Honors
Bader's contributions to science have earned him numerous accolades. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1989 and was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2011. His work continues to inspire and shape the field of quantum chemistry.
