Department of Physics files, 1963-1998

The Robert Frank papers, 1946-2000s, primarily includes Frank's research files on various subjects in the field of physics, including diffusion, magnetomechanical damping, and metallurgy. Papers consist of Frank's published articles and research notes as well as correspondence and other materials related to various research grants he received. Of note in the research files series are several of Frank's and his students' research notebooks, primarily kept during their work with the University of Illinois's secondary mass spectrometer and Cray supercomputer. Frank kept meticulous research notes, recording entries tracking his research processes down to the day and including any resulting formulas, computer scripts, data analyses, and developments with his projects. It is clear that he encouraged his students to do the same, as their research notebooks are also greatly detailed.

Also included in the collection are a number of files related to the Augustana College Physics Department and the study of science at Augustana. These materials include reports, departmental correspondence and notes, newsletters, and material related to the Augustana Research Foundation. Of note is a folder labeled "Frank, Robert C." containing correspondence between Frank and Rudolph W. Edmund about Frank's vision for the department at the time of his hiring and discussions of how to grow the department as a research program, including Frank's suggestions on grant investments in equipment and building improvements. The series also includes a collection of published articles by Daniel C. Tsui, a star physics student at Augustana (class of 1961) who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1998.

Several folders of Frank's personal papers are included at the end of the collection, consisting of papers that were unrelated to his research or the Physics Department. These papers primarily include alumni newsletters, letters to Frank from Augustana College alumni, and biographical information about Frank.