The Copenhagen Network: The Birth of Quantum Mechanics from a Postdoctoral PerspectiveSpringer Nature, 2. des. 2020 - 126 síður This book is a historical analysis of the quantum mechanical revolution and the emergence of a new discipline from the perspective, not of a professor, but of a recent or actual Ph.D. student just embarking on an uncertain academic career in economically hard times. Quantum mechanics exploded on to the intellectual scene between 1925 and 1927, with more than 200 publications across the world, the majority of them authored by young scientists under the age of 30, graduate students or postdoctoral fellows. The resulting theory was a collective product that no single authority could claim, but it had a major geographical nod – the Copenhagen Institute of Theoretical Physics – where most of the informal, pre-published exchange of ideas occurred and where every participant of the new community aspired to visit. A rare combination of circumstances and resources – political, diplomatic, financial, and intellectual – allowed Niels Bohr to establish this “Mecca” of quantum theory outside of traditional and more powerful centres of science. Transitory international postdoctoral fellows, rather than established professors, developed a culture of research that became the source of major innovations in the field. Temporary assistantships, postdoctoral positions, and their equivalents were the chief mode of existence for young academics during the period of economic crisis and post-WWI international tensions. Insecure career trajectories and unpredictable moves through non-stable temporary positions contributed to their general outlook and interpretations of the emerging theory of quantum mechanics. This book is part of a four-volume collection addressing the beginnings of quantum physics research at the major European centres of Göttingen, Copenhagen, Berlin, and Munich; these works emerged from an expansive study on the quantum revolution as a major transformation of physical knowledge undertaken by the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science and the Fritz Haber Institute (2006–2012). For more on this project, see the dedicated Feature Story, The Networks of Early Quantum Theory, at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, https://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/feature-story/networks-early-quantum-theory |
Efni
1 | |
2 Scandinavian Settings | 10 |
3 International Networking | 27 |
4 A Kuhnian Crisis | 43 |
5 Revolt of the Postdoc | 60 |
6 Philosophical Wrangling | 81 |
The Precarious Copenhagen Network and the Forman Thesis | 100 |
Appendix A Visitors at Bohrs Institute in Copenhagen Chronological Order up to 1927 | 107 |
Appendix B Information Concerning Fellowships in Science Awarded by the International Education Board 1925 | 110 |
Excerpts from Applications and Correspondence Regarding Individual Fellows | 113 |
117 | |
123 | |
Aðrar útgáfur - View all
The Copenhagen Network: The Birth of Quantum Mechanics from a Postdoctoral ... Alexei Kojevnikov Engin sýnishorn í boði - 2020 |
Common terms and phrases
able academic accepted allowed already appeared approach assistant atomic August authors became become Bohr Bohr’s Born calculations changed classical completed concept continued contributions Copenhagen correspondence countries cultural December Denmark developed discontinuous discussion earlier early effect Einstein electron established existing experiment experimental explain February fellowships field formal Franck fundamental German Göttingen grant Heisenberg History hope ideas important included initial institute interest interpretation January July June Kramers later lectures less letter light major March mathematical matrix mechanics matter mean Munich Nature neutral November October offer original Pauli period philosophical physicists political position possible postdoctoral present principle problem professors proposal publication publish quantum mechanics quantum theory radiation received regard Rose Schrödinger scientific scientists September Sommerfeld success theoretical physics typically University usually views wave young