1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 398: Paper published! Sensation in the physics community! A genius emerges! A bright future!
1916 12 Month 20 Day.

Published in the latest issue of Nature journal.

Yu Yin's paper undoubtedly made the cover headlines.

When submitting the paper, Gregory was immediately overjoyed when he saw that the author of the paper was Yu Yin.

"Please check it faster, this is my brother's paper."

Of the original three-person team, only Yu Yin continues to engage in physics research.

Gregory was reminded of the wonderful experiences he had during his doctoral studies.

Therefore, he was very concerned about this paper.

Therefore, all the papers in this issue were still published on time globally despite the impact of the war.

Soon, the physics community was in an uproar.

No one could believe that quantum theory, which claimed to put an end to spectroscopy, had encountered an unexplainable spectral problem.

They thought again of the quantum theory conference five years ago.

The three major quantum numbers suppress everything!
It makes quantum theory shine and qualifies it to be comparable to the theory of relativity.

No matter how you look at it, quantum theory can be considered perfect.

As for those remaining issues, they do not affect its core concept.

However, now, the anomalous Zeeman effect discovered by Yu Yin has hit the core of quantum theory.

It must explain this issue clearly.

Is there really a fourth quantum number?
If so, what would it be?
At this moment, many physicists felt extremely excited.

For many people, they are not afraid of problems, but they are afraid that the problems are not big enough.

In this era of physics, problems mean opportunities and great discoveries.

"The discovery of the fourth quantum number must be mine!"

"I already know what the fourth quantum number is, but it needs experimental verification."

"If you'll give me £100, I'll put your name on the paper."

"."

A new round of quantum fever has begun in the physics community.

It even overshadowed the theory of relativity.

There is no way, because the theory of relativity is too perfect.

In the eyes of everyone, Professor Bruce single-handedly ended the theory of relativity.

It will be difficult for future generations to make major theoretical breakthroughs.

There are currently two main research directions in relativity.

One is to verify the five major predictions, and the other is to apply the theory of relativity to other fields to see if any new chemical reactions will occur.

But quantum theory is completely different.

Its basis is atomic composition and structure, and there are still too many mysteries.

This also means that quantum theory is far from perfect, and there are still countless opportunities for unknown people to soar into the sky.

Yu Yin’s paper is the best proof.

The anomalous Zeeman effect is even more sensational than the previous GKY effect.

Yu Yin's name also became famous in the physics community and he became a hot figure.

This is the influence of quantum theory in the current physics community.

Netherlands.

Ehrenfest of Leiden University and Zeeman of Amsterdam University are discussing Yu Yin's paper.

As Lorentz's successor, Ehrenfest is now a professor of physics at Leiden University, leading the development of physics at the school.

Because of Lorentz's relationship, he had a good relationship with Zeeman, and the two often communicated privately.

Ehrenfest smiled:
"Zeeman, I didn't expect that the Zeeman effect you discovered would have such an abnormal phenomenon."

"I'm curious, why didn't you notice this phenomenon at the beginning?"

Zeeman shook his head slightly and said with a wry smile: "Well, actually I also thought of using a weak magnetic field experiment at that time."

"But on the one hand, in a weak magnetic field, the spectrum splitting is too weak, and it is difficult to observe obvious phenomena."

"On the other hand, I thought the spectrum splitting in strong and weak magnetic fields was the same thing."

"The principles are the same anyway, so I don't think it's necessary to study them in detail."

“So, I didn’t pay too much attention to it.”

"Thinking about it now, I really regret not insisting."

Ehrenfest sighed: "This is how heroes are made by the times."

"When you were doing your research, the Bohr-Lee model hadn't appeared yet."

"Even if someone discovered something unusual at the time, they probably wouldn't have paid much attention to it, let alone conducted systematic research."

Zeeman agrees with this view.

"The fate of a physicist, of course, depends on personal efforts, but the development of history must also be considered."

Ehrenfest then laughed and said, "It seems I have to follow the trend and recruit some graduate students to study quantum theory."

"Otherwise, Professor Lorenz will have something against me."

"He now thinks I'm too lazy."

Zeeman laughed. "Then you better hold on tight."

"The fourth quantum number will definitely make a name for itself in the physics community."

"I just don't know which lucky person will find it."

Zeeman could clearly feel that the physics world was now dominated by young people.

As an "old antique" over 45 years old, he no longer has the wild imagination in the face of the new modern physics.

Perhaps nurturing the next generation is a better option.

Denmark.

Bohr looked at the paper in his hand and paced back and forth anxiously.

"You are so good, Yu Yin, you hid it too well."

"The relationship between us brothers has really faded. You didn't even tell me such an important thing."

“This paper is so crucial for quantum theory.”

In this world, Bohr is probably the one who cares most about this paper.

As the pioneer of the Bohr model of quantum theory, in a sense, his contribution is greater than that of his mentor Professor Bruce.

From the introduction of the quantum concept to the quantum orbital model, this step can be described as a huge leap forward.

Therefore, the physics community has a very high opinion of Bohr, one level higher than Master Qian Wu.

This shows the importance of quantum theory.

And now, Yu Yin’s discovery is likely to lead to further development of quantum theory.

One can imagine Bohr's excitement.

For him, the most important thing now is to find the fourth quantum number.

Bohr had a mysterious premonition:
“Perhaps after collecting all four quantum numbers, quantum theory will enter a completely new realm.”

Bohr is currently recruiting new staff for his research institute.

He also plans to recruit some talented people to help him with scientific research and at the same time enhance Denmark's influence in the physics community.

A student from Columbia University in the United States was recently contacting him, and Bohr was somewhat tempted.

University of Munich, Germany.

Sommerfeld, professor of theoretical physics, is chatting with his old friend August.

August was a professor of linguistics at the University of Munich. Although he did not understand physics, he was a good friend of Sommerfeld.

At this moment, August smiled and asked:

"Sommerfeld, what are you looking at so intently?"

"I discussed Eastern Roman history with you a few days ago, but you haven't expressed your opinion yet."

Sommerfeld was no longer in the mood to listen to his old friend's history class.

He was concentrating on reading a paper in the latest issue of Nature.

He originally thought that due to the war, there were no good papers to write recently.

I didn't expect to see such significant results.

"Hehe, sorry, I was distracted just now."

"I'm looking at the latest major discoveries in physics." August was surprised when he heard this: "Oh? Are there any scholars in Europe who can concentrate on doing experiments recently?"

Sommerfeld sighed: "Ah, it's an author from Asia."

"The famous Professor Bruce's doctorate."

"This is an original physics achievement from Asia."

Even though August was not a physics major, he could still feel the weight of Sommerfeld's words.

"Professor Bruce is amazing."

"It's amazing that a country that was a scientific desert has been developed into what it is today."

"While we in Europe are killing each other, others are taking advantage of the opportunity to develop themselves."

Sommerfeld said, "Who says it isn't?"

"Perhaps after a while, the science center will not be in Europe anymore."

"Although Germany won the team gold medal in the Physics Olympiad, it is far from time to relax."

"Germany is not the only country in the world that has geniuses."

Feeling that the topic was a bit heavy, August quickly joked:

"Sommerfeld, in two years, I will send you a genius."

Sommerfeld wondered.

"What do you mean?"

August's face turned red, but he still said:

"Hey, it's my brat who keeps asking to learn physics."

"I even hung Bruce's portrait above my bed at home, saying that sooner or later I would surpass him."

"I don't know whether to laugh or cry."

"But he's good at math, see if you have a chance."

Sommerfeld laughed and said:
"Haha, so that's what happened."

"Don't worry, after he graduates from high school, he can come to the University of Munich."

"As long as I pass the exam, I still have this power."

As Boltzmann's chosen successor before his death, Sommerfeld still had a lot of say in the University of Munich.

What's more, he knew his old friend very well.

If the child does not live up to expectations, the other party will definitely not even mention this matter.

August thanked him, "That's great."

"The child is a bit withdrawn and quiet."

"Without the care of acquaintances, I am worried that his studies will be affected."

At this moment, Sommerfeld suddenly thought of something.

"Oh, that's a coincidence."

"There is someone who is even more exaggerated than you."

"Half a year ago, Professor Joseph from the Department of Physics at the University of Vienna wrote to me."

"He hoped that after his children graduated from high school in 1918, they could skip college and become my graduate students directly."

"I can only reply that I will see the child and make a decision later."

Now that Germany and Austria-Hungary are allies, Sommerfeld does not want to make the relationship too strained.

August found it very novel. He wondered how confident the other party was in his own child.

"It seems that the child is a genius."

Sommerfeld smiled and said, "I don't know the details."

"But at least he's at the genius level."

"Because the godfather of that child is Professor Mach."

"With this relationship, it's hard for me to refuse."

August was startled.

The famous Professor Mach is a respected senior figure in the field of physics. (Yes, the Mach who invented the Mach ring)

The other party died not long ago in February this year.

From this perspective, it was indeed difficult for Sommerfeld to refuse Professor Joseph.

August asked casually, "What's the child's name?"

"It seems that I will let my son learn from him in the future."

"Oh," said Sommerfeld, "Wolfgang Pauli."

"By the way, what are your children's names? I remember you have two sons."

August said: "It is my oldest son who wants to study physics."

"His name is Werner Heisenberg and he is 15 years old."

At the same time, a PhD graduate from the University of Vienna is also preparing to come to Germany to do research.

Schrödinger, 29, is currently serving in a remote artillery fortress during the war.

He often uses his spare time to study theoretical physics, especially relativity and quantum theory.

Although he had met Professor Bruce off the court, they had never spoken.

For this, Schrödinger felt a little regretful.

He has been communicating through correspondence with a professor at the University of Jena in Germany.

The two sides agreed that after the war was completely over, he would go to the other party's laboratory as an assistant.

Schrödinger felt that only in a scientific powerhouse like Germany could he fully display his intelligence and talents.

At the same time, he also had the opportunity to meet top figures in the physics community.

United Kingdom.

While working in the military, Rutherford met a young man named Ralph Fowler.

The other party, like Li Qiwei, graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge University and regarded Li Qiwei as his idol.

The British Royal Navy Artillery Corps, where Fowler worked, once invited Rutherford to train for a period of time.

Because Fowler studied mathematics and physics during his undergraduate studies.

Therefore, he was the only one in the artillery who could understand Rutherford's physics theories.

Thus, Rutherford and Fuller became both teachers and friends.

Today, Rutherford came to the artillery again for some reason.

When Fowler saw him, he said excitedly:

“Professor, have you seen this paper?”

"There is another important discovery in quantum theory. Yu from China has discovered the anomalous Zeeman effect."

Rutherford said enviously, "Well, of course I know that."

"I'm here every day calculating the trajectories of artillery shells and submarines, while Bruce is doing real scientific research."

"I really envy him."

Fowler comforted him: "Professor, don't worry, the war will end soon."

Rutherford suddenly asked, "Fowler, after the war, have you thought about the future?"

Fowler touched his head and said shyly, "Professor, I want to return to Cambridge to do scientific research."

Rutherford patted his shoulder with relief and said with a smile:
"Come on, you will definitely achieve results."

However, Rutherford did not know that five years later, Fowler would abduct his beloved daughter and turn her into his son-in-law.

Likewise, Fowler had no idea that seven years later he would admit a young British doctoral student and give him a topic in quantum mechanics.

The other person's name was Paul Dirac.

With the publication of Yu Yin's paper, the entire Western physics community was shocked.

They eagerly hoped that the war would end soon so that they could return to the happy days of doing research in peace.

Quantum theory has also become the hottest topic in the physics community.

The hidden fourth quantum number acted like bait, attracting all those amazing geniuses.

In such a prosperous era, who would be lucky enough to be the trendsetters?

At this moment, Asia is still in shock brought about by Yu Yin.

Who said there is no original research in China?
(End of this chapter)