Otto Stern

Otto Stern (1940s)

Otto Stern (17 February 1888 – 17 August 1969) was a German American physicist and 1943 Nobel laureate in physics "for his contribution to the development of the molecular ray method and his discovery of the magnetic moment of the proton."

Quotes

• A simple calculation shows that from the classical theory follows that we should find a broadening of the beam with the maximum intensity on the place of the beam without field. However, from the quantum theory follows that we should find there no intensity at all, and deflected molecules on both sides. The beam should split up in two beams corresponding to the two orientations of the magnet. The experiment decided in favor of the quantum theory.
  • the conclusion of the historical Stern-Gerlach experiment, in The Method of Molecular Rays, Nobel Lecture, December 12, 1946.

About Otto Stern

• In his obituary for Stern Rabi wrote: “Some of Pauli’s great theoretical contributions came from Stern’s suggestions, or rather questions; for example, the theory of magnetism of free electrons in metals.” From Charly Enz and Armin Telling – Pauli’s last two assistants – I have learned that Pauli has also discussed the question of zero point energies extensively with Stern during his Hamburg time, before the advent of the new quantum mechanics.
  • Norbert Straumann, "Wolfgang Pauli and Modern Physics". arXiv:0810.2213v1 [physics.hist-ph]. DOI:10.48550/arXiv.0810.2213. (quote from p. 6; 18 pages, invited talk at the workshop "The Nature of Gravity", at the International Space Science Institute (ISSI), 6 - 10 October 2008, Bern, Switzerland; journal reference: Space Sci. Rev. 148:25-36,2009; doi:10.1007/s11214-009-9486-9)

Attributed

• "Shall we do it?" "Well, then let's go, we shall do it!" Otto Stern asking, Walther Gerlach answering.
  • As quoted in The Historical Development of Quantum Theory: Its Foundation and the Rise of Its Difficulties, 1900-1925 (2001) by Jagdish Mehra, p. 437.