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A faculty member since 1988, Kash earned his PhD in physics from MIT, and received his BA in physics and mathematics from Lake Forest College in 1977. Although Jensen retired in 1973, he was still a presence on campus. Kash had the honor of working alongside the retired professor to create Jensen’s signature hallway demonstrations—a tradition that continues today—and still has Jensen’s notebooks on his bookshelves in his office in the Lillard Science Center. 

Kash’s specializations include the interaction of atoms with electric and magnetic fields, atomic structure, laser spectroscopy, and quantum optics. He works with single-frequency diode laser systems in both vapor cells and thermal atomic beams. He also studies short-pulsed NMR and Foucault pendulums.

An exceptional teacher, advisor, scholar, and community member, Kash is widely published in professional journals and earned the William L. Dunn Award for Outstanding Teaching and Scholarly Promise, the Trustee Award for Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership, the Richard W. Hantke Alumni Teacher Award, the John Rush Award from the Illinois State Physics Project, and the Bird Award for Intellectual Contributions to the Campus Community.

The Harald C. Jensen Endowed Chair for Physics was made possible by a major gift from Professor Jensen’s son, Chris Jensen, who bequeathed $6.6 million to the physics department in his father’s name. 

Jensen taught physics at the College from 1943 to 1973. A renowned physics expert who taught other physics teachers how best to teach physics, Jensen perfected and promoted a phenomelogical approach to teaching physics.

Related Links:

• Learn more about the Professor Harald Jensen Fund
• Meet Professor Michael Kash ’77
• Explore the Department of Physics