Heisenberg and the Creation of Quantum Mechanics (1925)
S. Brandt
Abstract There is a certain similarity in the early lives of Planck and of Heisenberg [1,2]. Both had fathers who were professors at the University of Munich, both visited the Maximilians-Gymnasium in Munich, and both went to see a professor in Munich to seek advice for their studies. We have mentioned at the beginning of the Prologue how Jolly in vain tried to dissuade Planck from studying physics. Heisenberg, in his autobiographic book [3], which is devised as a series of conversations, tells us of a similar experience. In the autumn of 1920, when he was about to enter the university, his first choice was mathematics. He wanted not only to do course work but also learn about problems of current interest. This, he thought, he could do best by participating in a professor’s seminar usually reserved to advanced students and Ph.D. candidates. He asked for an interview with Lindemann , the most distinguished mathematician in Munich, who was famous for having proved that the number π is transcendental. But the old professor and the young student found no understanding, partly because Lindemann’s dog noisily interfered. The result was that Heisenberg opted for theoretical physics and went to ask Sommerfeld to be admitted to his seminar. Sommerfeld agreed. At that time Pauli, only a year older than Heisenberg, was already actively doing research under Sommerfeld. The two young men became life-long friends.
•Apr 22, 1992•0 citations