William L. McMillan (January 13, 1936 – August 30, 1984) was an American physicist noted for his research of condensed matter physics.[1] [2] [3] McMillan was a member of the National Academy of Sciences, professor of physics at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.[2] [3] He was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences[3] McMillan received the 1978 Fritz London Memorial Prize for his work in superconductors.[3] The National Academies Press called him "the ablest condensed matter physicist of his generation".[2] The University of Illinois established an award in his name: The William L. McMillan Award.[4]
The electron-phonon coupling in superconductors is described by the McMillan parameter.