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Werner Heisenberg (1901-1976) - Theory of Quantum Mechanics
In 1925, 23-year-old Werner Heisenberg first published his theory of quantum mechanics. He used mechanical quantities, such as position and velocity, as well as abstract matrices. This theory, and the resulted discovery of allotropic forms of hydrogen, would garner Heisenberg a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1932.
Ref:
Heisenberg, Werner. "Quantum-Theoretical Reinterpretation. of Kinematic and Mechanical Relations" July 29, 1925. Göttingen. -
Werner Heisenberg (1901-1976) - Heisenberg's Microscope
In 1927, Heisenberg proposed a thought experiment called “Heisenberg’s Microscope”. This thought experiment served as the nucleus of some of the now commonly-held ideas about quantum mechanics, and on the basis of the principles of classical optics, would serve as an introduction for Heisenberg’s next work that would soon develop.
Ref:
W. Heisenberg: Uber den anschaulichen Inhalt der quantentheoretischen Kinematik and Mechanik. Zeitschrift für Physik 43, 172–198 (1927) -
Werner Heisenberg (1901-1976) - Principle of Uncertainty
In 1927, Werner Heisenberg introduced his principle of uncertainty, which stated that the position and velocity of a mobile particle cannot be measured exactly at the same time, even in theory. An “uncertainty” is unavoidable, and there will always be an error of at least the quantum constant h.
Related video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQKELOE9eY4
Ref:
W. Heisenberg: Uber den anschaulichen Inhalt der quantentheoretischen Kinematik and Mechanik. Zeitschrift für Physik.1927. -
Werner Heisenberg (1901-1976) - Atomic Bomb Project
Amid the Nuclear arms race in World War II, Heisenberg was recruited for Uranverien, Germany’s atom-bomb project. Their goal was to “build a nuclear reactor which could sustain a nuclear fission chain reaction for a significant amount of time and to achieve the complete separation of ... a tiny amount of the uranium isotopes." However, Uranverien suffered from miscommunication and lack of support, ultimately “frozen at the laboratory level”.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrCc9XfNoBE -
Werner Heisenberg (1901-1976) - Elementary Particles
After Heisenberg was captured by Ally troops at the end of WWII, he was sent to England. But in 1946, Heisenberg returned to Germany and continued his work, concentrating on the unified field theory of elementary particles.
Video from 1962 lecture:
https://www.mediatheque.lindau-nobel.org/videos/31432/progress-in-the-unified-field-theory-of-elementary-particles-german-presentation-1962/laureate-heisenberg
Ref:
W. Heisenberg. "Theory of Elementary Particles". 23 Dec 1955 -
Werner Heisenberg (1901-1976) - First German Nuclear Reactor
In 1957, Werner Heisenberg helped construct the first West German nuclear reactor at Karlsruhe, the "Atomic Egg", which began operating in the town of Garching, near Munich.
Around this time, Heisenberg was also making important contributions to the theories of ferromagnetism, hydrodynamics of turbulent flows and cosmic rays.
