Walter Heinrich Heitler (2.01.1904-15.11.1981) was a theoretical physicist. He was born in Karlsruhe. He graduated from the University of Munich (1926). In 1927 — 33 he worked at the University of Göttingen. He emigrated to England and in 1933—41 worked at the University of Bristol; in 1941—49 he was professor at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Dublin (director from 1946). In 1949 —74 he was professor at the University of Zurich.
His research concerned quantum theory, quantum mechanics, quantum electrodynamics, the physics of cosmic rays, the theory of nuclear forces, meson physics and the philosophy of science. Together with F. London he was the first to make an approximate calculation of the hydrogen molecule (the Heitler — London method), and this was the beginning of quantum chemistry.
Together with G. Herzberg he determined (1929) the statistics of the nitrogen nucleus, showing that it must obey Bose — Einstein statistics. This was the decisive argument against the proton-electron hypothesis of the structure of nuclei. He predicted (1934) the existence of higher-order Compton processes, in which two or more scattered quanta are created in a single elementary act. Together with H. Bethe he developed in 1934 the theory of the radiative losses of an electron moving through matter, and independently of others he proposed in 1937 the cascade theory of electron showers in cosmic rays. He constructed (1938) the vector meson theory of nuclear forces. In 1940 he introduced the idea of higher spin and charge states, and in 1941 he constructed a quantum theory of radiation damping, applying it to meson-nucleon scattering.
A member of a number of academies of sciences and scientific societies. The M. Planck Medal (1968) and others. [117, 561].