The Historical Development of Quantum Theory - 5: Part 1 Schrödinger in Vienna and Zurich 1887-1925

Quantum Theory, together with the principles of special and general relativity, constitute a scientific revolution that has profoundly influenced the way in which we think about the universe and the fundamental forces that govern it. The Historical Development of Quantum Theory is a definitive historical study of that scientific work and the human struggles that accompanied it from the beginning. Drawing upon such materials as the resources of the Archives for the History of Quantum Physics, the Niels Bohr Archives, and the archives and scientific correspondence of the principal quantum physicists, as well as Jagdish Mehra's personal discussions over many years with most of the architects of quantum theory, the authors have written a rigorous scientific history of quantum theory in a deeply human context. This multivolume work presents a rich account of an intellectual triumph: a unique analysis of the creative scientific process. The Historical Development of Quantum Theory is science, history, and biography, all wrapped in the story of a great human enterprise. Its lessons will be an aid to those working in the sciences and humanities alike.

List of contents

Contents-Part 1.- General Introduction.- From the Bohr-Sommerfeld Theory to Quantum Mechanics.- The Göttingen Matrix Mechanics and Its Extensions.- Status of Quantum Mechanics in Early 1926.- Schrödinger's Work in Physics Prior to 1926.- Schrödinger's Personality and Method of Work.- Schrödinger and Wave Mechanics.- of this Volume.- I Schrödinger in Vienna (1887-1920).- 1.1 The Viennese Background.- 1.2 The Young Erwin Schrödinger, His Youth and Study at the University of Vienna.- 1.3 The Early Scientific Work of Erwin Schrödinger.- 1.4 From Brilliant Pre-War to Dark War Days.- 1.5 Schrödinger's Scientific Work in World War I.- II Waves and Quanta: Preludes to Wave Mechanics.- II.1 The Dual Nature of Light.- II.2 The Side-Stages of the Development in Quantum Theory.- II.3 A Newcomer to Zurich: Erwin Schrödinger.- II.4 Atomic Structure and Physiological Optics: General Research.- II.5 Problems and Extensions of Statistical Mechanics.

Summary

Quantum Theory, together with the principles of special and general relativity, constitute a scientific revolution that has profoundly influenced the way in which we think about the universe and the fundamental forces that govern it. The Historical Development of Quantum Theory is a definitive historical study of that scientific work and the human struggles that accompanied it from the beginning. Drawing upon such materials as the resources of the Archives for the History of Quantum Physics, the Niels Bohr Archives, and the archives and scientific correspondence of the principal quantum physicists, as well as Jagdish Mehra's personal discussions over many years with most of the architects of quantum theory, the authors have written a rigorous scientific history of quantum theory in a deeply human context. This multivolume work presents a rich account of an intellectual triumph: a unique analysis of the creative scientific process. The Historical Development of Quantum Theory is science, history, and biography, all wrapped in the story of a great human enterprise. Its lessons will be an aid to those working in the sciences and humanities alike.

Additional text

Comments by distinguished physicists on "The Historical Development of Quantum Theory":||"…the most definitive work undertaken by anyone on this vast and most important development in the history of physics. Jagdish Mehra, trained in theoretical physics under Pauli, Heisenberg, and Dirac, pursued the vision of his youth to write about the historical and conceptual development of quantum theory in the 20th century…This series of books on the HDQT has thus become the most authentic and permanent source of our knowledge of how quantum theory, its extensions and applications developed. My heartfelt congratulations."|-Hans A. Bethe, Nobel Laureate||"A thrilling and magnificent achievement!"|-Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, FRS, Nobel Laureate||"…capture(s) precisely, accurately, and thoroughly the very essence and all the fundamental details of the theory, and that is a remarkable achievement…I have greatly enjoyed reading these books and learned so many new things from them. This series of books will remain a permanent source of knowledge about the creation and development of quantum theory. Congratulations!"|-Paul A. Dirac, FRS, Nobel Laureate||"The wealth and accuracy of detail in 'The Historical Development of Quantum Theory' are breathtaking."|-Richard P. Feynman, Nobel Laureate

Report

Comments by distinguished physicists on "The Historical Development of Quantum Theory":||"...the most definitive work undertaken by anyone on this vast and most important development in the history of physics. Jagdish Mehra, trained in theoretical physics under Pauli, Heisenberg, and Dirac, pursued the vision of his youth to write about the historical and conceptual development of quantum theory in the 20th century...This series of books on the HDQT has thus become the most authentic and permanent source of our knowledge of how quantum theory, its extensions and applications developed. My heartfelt congratulations."|-Hans A. Bethe, Nobel Laureate||"A thrilling and magnificent achievement!"|-Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, FRS, Nobel Laureate||"...capture(s) precisely, accurately, and thoroughly the very essence and all the fundamental details of the theory, and that is a remarkable achievement...I have greatly enjoyed reading these books and learned so many new things from them. This series of books will remain a permanent source of knowledge about the creation and development of quantum theory. Congratulations!"|-Paul A. Dirac, FRS, Nobel Laureate||"The wealth and accuracy of detail in 'The Historical Development of Quantum Theory' are breathtaking."|-Richard P. Feynman, Nobel Laureate

Product details

• Authors: Jagdis Mehra, Jagdish Mehra, Helmut Rechenberg
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 26.06.2009
• EAN: 9780387951799
• ISBN: 978-0-387-95179-9
• No. of pages: 366
• Dimensions: 156 mm x 234 mm x 236 mm
• Weight: 608 g
• Illustrations: XIX, 366 p.
• Sets: The Historical Development of Quantum Theory; The Historical Development of Quantum Theory
• Series: Erwin Schrödinger and the Rise of Wave Mechanics; The Historical Development of Quantum Theory; Erwin Schrödinger and the Rise of Wave Mechanics
• Subject: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Physics, astronomy > Theoretical physics