Abdus Salam, Pakistani-British physicist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (d. 1996)

Mohammad Abdus Salam, born on 29 January 1926 and passing on 21 November 1996, was a distinguished Pakistani theoretical physicist. Globally recognized for his profound contributions to fundamental physics, he became a Nobel Prize laureate, a monumental achievement for his home country and the broader Islamic world.

In 1979, Salam was jointly awarded the prestigious Nobel Prize in Physics alongside American physicists Sheldon Glashow and Steven Weinberg. Their collective recognition stemmed from their pivotal contributions to the electroweak unification theory. This groundbreaking theory successfully unified two of the four fundamental forces of nature: the electromagnetic force, which governs light and electricity, and the weak nuclear force, responsible for radioactive decay. Their work provided a cornerstone for the Standard Model of Particle Physics, which describes the fundamental particles and forces that make up our universe.

Salam's Nobel Prize marked a significant historical milestone. He was not only the first Pakistani to receive a Nobel Prize in science but also the first scientist from an Islamic country to achieve this distinction. Furthermore, he was only the second individual from an Islamic country to receive any Nobel Prize, following Anwar Sadat of Egypt, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978.

Building Scientific Foundations in Pakistan

Beyond his theoretical breakthroughs, Abdus Salam played an indispensable role in shaping Pakistan's scientific landscape. From 1960 to 1974, he served as the scientific advisor to the Ministry of Science and Technology in Pakistan. In this influential capacity, he was instrumental in establishing and developing much of the nation's critical scientific infrastructure.

• Founding Director of SUPARCO: Salam was the visionary founding director of the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), Pakistan's national space agency. Under his guidance, SUPARCO laid the groundwork for the country's capabilities in space science and technology.
• Establishing the Theoretical Physics Group (TPG): He was also responsible for the creation of the Theoretical Physics Group (TPG), a vital institution dedicated to fostering advanced research in theoretical and particle physics within Pakistan.

Due to these foundational efforts and his unwavering commitment to nurturing scientific talent and institutions, Salam is widely regarded as the "scientific father" of Pakistan's nascent and ambitious scientific programs.

A Principled Departure and Enduring Legacy

In 1974, Abdus Salam made the difficult decision to depart from Pakistan in protest. This act of conscience followed the unanimous passage of a parliamentary bill by the Parliament of Pakistan, which declared members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, to which Salam belonged, as non-Muslims. This legislative change, enshrined as the Second Amendment to the Constitution, deeply impacted Salam, who believed firmly in religious freedom and tolerance.

Despite his departure, Salam's immense contributions to Pakistan's scientific development were eventually acknowledged. In 1998, following the successful Chagai-I nuclear tests, the Government of Pakistan issued a commemorative stamp as part of the "Scientists of Pakistan" series, honoring Salam's services and recognizing his pivotal role in the nation's scientific progress.

Global Contributions and Notable Achievements

Salam's intellectual prowess and dedication to physics extended far beyond his homeland. He made significant contributions to quantum field theory and the advancement of Mathematics during his tenure at Imperial College London, where he served as Professor of Theoretical Physics and Director of the Theoretical Physics Section.

His notable theoretical achievements include:

• Electroweak Theory: His most celebrated work, for which he received the Nobel Prize, unifying the electromagnetic and weak forces.
• Pati–Salam Model: A prominent Grand Unified Theory (GUT) aiming to unify the strong nuclear force with the electroweak force, proposing that quarks and leptons are different states of the same fundamental particles.
• Grand Unified Theory (GUT) Concepts: Extensive work on theoretical frameworks attempting to unify all fundamental forces of nature.
• Supersymmetry: Groundbreaking research on this proposed symmetry between bosons (force-carrying particles) and fermions (matter particles), which is a key area of study in modern particle physics.
• Magnetic Photon and Vector Mesons: Early contributions to understanding exotic particles and their properties.
• Neutrino Physics: Collaborating with his student Riazuddin, Salam made important contributions to the modern theory of neutrinos, elusive subatomic particles crucial for understanding cosmic phenomena.
• Neutron Stars and Black Holes: His work also extended to the theoretical understanding of extreme astrophysical objects like neutron stars and black holes.

As a devoted teacher and tireless science promoter, Salam is remembered as a foundational figure in mathematical and theoretical physics in Pakistan. He substantially elevated the standing of Pakistani physics within the global scientific community. Until shortly before his death, Abdus Salam remained actively engaged in physics research and passionately advocated for the development of science in developing countries, a vision he championed through the establishment of the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy, in 1964. The ICTP continues to be a global hub for scientific collaboration and education, particularly benefiting scientists from the Global South.

Frequently Asked Questions about Abdus Salam

Who was Abdus Salam?

Abdus Salam was a Pakistani theoretical physicist and a Nobel Prize laureate, known for his groundbreaking work on the electroweak unification theory. He was also a passionate advocate for science in developing countries.

What was Abdus Salam's major scientific achievement?

His most significant achievement was his contribution to the electroweak unification theory, for which he shared the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physics. This theory unified two of the four fundamental forces: electromagnetism and the weak nuclear force.

Why is Abdus Salam considered the "scientific father" of Pakistan's science programs?

He earned this title for his pivotal role as scientific advisor to Pakistan's Ministry of Science and Technology from 1960 to 1974. During this period, he founded key institutions like the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and the Theoretical Physics Group (TPG), laying the groundwork for the nation's scientific infrastructure.

Why did Abdus Salam leave Pakistan?

He left Pakistan in 1974 in protest after the Parliament of Pakistan passed a bill declaring members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, to which he belonged, as non-Muslims.

What is the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP)?

The ICTP is a world-renowned scientific institute in Trieste, Italy, founded by Abdus Salam in 1964. Its mission is to foster scientific excellence in developing countries by providing advanced training and research opportunities in physics and mathematics.

What other theories did Abdus Salam contribute to?

Besides electroweak theory, he made significant contributions to the Pati–Salam model, Grand Unified Theories (GUTs), supersymmetry, quantum field theory, and aspects of modern physics related to neutrinos, neutron stars, and black holes.