# Charlotte Froese Fischer

> Canadian-American applied mathematician and computer scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q11596](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11596)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Froese_Fischer)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/charlotte-froese-fischer

## Summary
Charlotte Froese Fischer was a Canadian-American applied mathematician and computer scientist known for her pioneering work in atomic structure calculations and computational physics. She was a professor emeritus at Vanderbilt University and made significant contributions to the development of numerical methods for solving complex physical problems.

## Biography
- Born: September 21, 1929, in Stara Mykolaivka
- Nationality: Canadian and American
- Education: University of British Columbia, University of Cambridge
- Known for: Atomic structure calculations and computational physics
- Employer(s): Harvard University, University of British Columbia, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Vanderbilt University
- Field(s): Mathematics, applied mathematics, computer science, physics, chemistry

## Contributions
Charlotte Froese Fischer developed the MCHF (Multi-Configuration Hartree-Fock) method for atomic structure calculations, which became a standard tool in computational atomic physics. Her work enabled highly accurate predictions of atomic properties and energy levels, advancing both theoretical understanding and practical applications in spectroscopy and quantum chemistry. She created widely used computer codes that are still referenced in modern atomic physics research. Her contributions helped bridge the gap between theoretical atomic models and experimental observations, making complex calculations accessible to researchers worldwide.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Charlotte Froese Fischer's most important contribution to science?
A: She developed the MCHF method for atomic structure calculations, creating computer codes that enabled highly accurate predictions of atomic properties and energy levels.

### Q: Where did Charlotte Froese Fischer work during her career?
A: She worked at Harvard University, University of British Columbia, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and Vanderbilt University, where she became professor emeritus.

### Q: What fields did Charlotte Froese Fischer work in?
A: She worked in mathematics, applied mathematics, computer science, physics, and chemistry, with a focus on computational methods for atomic structure.

## Why They Matter
Charlotte Froese Fischer's work revolutionized computational atomic physics by making complex atomic structure calculations practical and accurate. Her MCHF method and associated computer codes became essential tools for researchers worldwide, enabling advances in spectroscopy, quantum chemistry, and atomic theory. Her contributions helped establish computational methods as a fundamental approach in atomic physics, influencing generations of researchers and making previously impossible calculations routine. Without her work, many modern applications in atomic physics and related fields would be significantly more difficult or impossible.

## Notable For
- Developed the MCHF (Multi-Configuration Hartree-Fock) method for atomic structure calculations
- Created widely used computer codes for atomic physics that remain in use today
- First to apply numerical methods to solve complex atomic structure problems
- Fellow of the American Physical Society
- Professor emeritus at Vanderbilt University

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Charlotte Froese Fischer was born on September 21, 1929, in Stara Mykolaivka. She pursued her education at the University of British Columbia and later at the University of Cambridge, establishing the foundation for her future work in computational physics.

### Academic Career
Fischer held academic positions at several prestigious institutions. She worked at Harvard University and served as a professor at the University of British Columbia from 1957 to 1968. Later in her career, she joined the National Institute of Standards and Technology in 2005 and became professor emeritus at Vanderbilt University.

### Research Contributions
Her most significant contribution was the development of the MCHF method, which provided a systematic approach to calculating atomic wave functions and energy levels. This method became a cornerstone in computational atomic physics, allowing researchers to predict atomic properties with unprecedented accuracy. She created computer programs implementing these methods that became standard tools in the field.

### Professional Recognition
Fischer was elected as a Fellow of the American Physical Society, recognizing her substantial contributions to the field. Her work bridged theoretical physics and practical computation, making complex atomic calculations accessible to researchers worldwide.

### Legacy
Her computational methods and codes continue to influence atomic physics research today. The MCHF approach she developed remains a reference point for modern computational methods in atomic structure calculations, and her software tools are still used in research laboratories globally.

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## References

1. [Source](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-scientist-charlotte-froese-fischer-was-considered-canadas-first-lady/)
2. Czech National Authority Database
3. LIBRIS. 2002
4. [Source](https://engineering.vanderbilt.edu/bio/charlotte-fischer)
5. Mathematics Genealogy Project
6. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0001-9524-6705/employment/1294465)
7. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0001-9524-6705/employment/1294475)
8. International Standard Name Identifier
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. IdRef