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Name of creator

Theory Group (Copenhagen) (THC)

Theory Division (TH)

Administrative history

Three scientific Study Groups were set up during the life of the ‘provisional CERN’ (i.e. before CERN was officially created in 1954), two accelerator groups and a theory group. The nucleus of the Theory Group was a four-man team comprising N. Bohr, C. Moller, J. Jacobsen, and S. Rozental. It was founded in May 1952, and was initially located in the Theoretical Physics Institute at the University of Copenhagen. Bohr was the nominal director until September 1954, when he handed over to Møller; Rozental was responsible for much of the administrative work. The Theory Group differed from the other Study Groups in that its key staff were already centralised around an existing institute of international repute, which incorporated the CERN-related activities into its ongoing programme.

The decision to locate the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva inevitably provoked questions about the future of the Group. It was decided that the Theory function should be gradually moved to Geneva over a few years, and the work of the Theory Group in Copenhagen was brought to an end on 1 October 1957. The first theorists came to Geneva in 1954 (CERN was officially created on 29 September 1954) and the CERN Theoretical Study Division was set up; they were based first at the University of Geneva, then in barracks at the airport, before moving to the main site in Meyrin. The Group expanded when the remaining members moved from Copenhagen in 1957, and by 1959 it had almost 40 members. The work of the Group included:

• Scientific research on fundamental problems of nuclear physics, including theoretical problems related to the focusing of ion beams in high energy accelerators.
• Training of young theoretical physicists.
• Development of active co-operation with the laboratories of Liverpool and Uppsala, whose machines and equipment had been placed at the disposal of CERN.

In 1960 as the PS research experimental programme began, CERN had to adapt its internal structure to its changing tasks. The original six divisions were reorganized into twelve divisions. The role of Theoretical Studies (TH) Division was: theoretical physics research, and co-operation in the preparation of experimental programme and in the interpretation of the experimental results.

In 1966 new departments, which remained until 1976 were formed by regrouping the existing divisions. The Theoretical Studies Division was integrated into the Theoretical Physics Department.

In 1971 following approval for the construction of a second Laboratory adjoining the existing site, CERN was divided between two administrative units, Laboratory I and Laboratory II. TH Department was part of Laboratory I.

In 1976 the two Laboratories were united. The departmental structure ceased and Theoretical Physics Department was renamed Theoretical Physics Division (TH).

In 1986 the Scientific Information Service (SIS: Library and Archive), formely part of DOC Department, was added to the TH Division.

In 1990 the SIS Group moved in the new Administrative Support Division (AS).

In 2004 TH Division and Experimental Physics Division (EP) merged to form Physics Department (PH).

* More information on: Theory Division
* Source: Annual reports, History of CERN

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

• Niels Bohr Institute (Archives) (THC)
• Jacques Prentki, Maurice Jacob, John Ellis (TH)