83:. This patent helped lead to the development of the semiconductor injection laser, which is found in many electronic appliances. In 1976, Mr. Thomas became Executive Director of Bell Laboratories' Transmission Systems Division. His chief activity here was to oversee the development and design of a variety of transmission systems, and to assist in their introduction into manufacture. These systems included digital fiber optic systems for terrestrial use, and also submarine fiber optic systems for transoceanic use. The 1988 submarine fiber optic system that Mr. Thomas worked on was designed to increase phone transmissions from the United States, England and France to 40,000 simultaneous phone calls. One of the challenges that arose were sharks who, sensing the magnetic field created by the cable's high voltage, bit them. Thicker cable were subsequently designed to help with this problem. Mr. Thomas continued to work at Bell Laboratories until 1992.
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telephones and business telephone consoles. A practical application at the time was the "Princess" phone which lit up with a green glow when lifted from its handset. In 1969, Mr. Thomas moved from research into development and became the
Executive Director of the Electronic Devices, Process and Materials Division responsible for the development of electronic devices, including their materials and fabrication.
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After becoming Head of the
Semiconductor Electronics Research Department in 1962, Mr. Thomas conducted studies leading to the development of gallium phosphide light-emitting diodes, which were used extensively as indicator lights of maintenance equipment, control panels, and some new multiline
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Thomas's wife, June, whom he married in 1957, died in
January 2015. He was survived by his daughters Virginia S. Thomas and Victoria C. Thomas, as well as, granddaughters Eliza K. Lupone and Madeline J. Lupone.
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Mr. Thomas was also the holder of seven patents, one of which was awarded to him and his colleague
179:"Theoretical and experimental effects of spatial dispersion on the optical properties of crystals"
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for his DPhil, awarded in 1952. From 1952 to 1954 he was a researcher for the
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26:) was a chemist and solid-state physicist, known for his work at
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for his BA (awarded 1949) and MA (awarded 1950); then at
153:"David G. Thomas | Array of Contemporary Physicists"
258:Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Prize winners
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22:(4 August 1928, London, England – 9 May 2015,
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67:In 1969 he received, for joint research with
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73:Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Prize
177:Hopfield, J. J.; Thomas, D. G. (1963).
141:. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. p. 410.
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243:British emigrants to the United States
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238:Alumni of the University of Oxford
75:of the American Physical Society.
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139:Merton College Register 1900–1964
263:Alumni of Merton College, Oxford
233:People educated at Harrow School
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137:Levens, R.G.C., ed. (1964).
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120:"Obituary. David Thomas"
248:Scientists at Bell Labs
203:10.1103/PhysRev.132.563
38:Thomas was educated at
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34:Education and career
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