Stern, Otto

Otto Stern (17.02.1888-17.08.1969) - a German experimental physicist. Born in Sorau. Graduated from the University of Breslau (1912). In 1913 — 14 he worked at the Zurich Polytechnic, and in 1914 — 21 at the University of Frankfurt. In 1921—22 he was professor at the University of Rostock, and in 1923 —33 at the University of Hamburg. In 1933 —45 he was professor at the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, and from 1946 at Berkeley (USA). His research was in the fields of molecular physics, atomic and nuclear physics and quantum theory. Developed the method of atomic (molecular) beams and in 1920 used it to measure experimentally the velocities of the thermal motion of gas molecules (the Stern experiment). In 1922, together with W. Gerlach, he proved the existence of the magnetic moment of the atom, in other words confirmed space quantisation experimentally (the Stern — Gerlach experiment). In 1929, together with I. Estermann, he was the first to show that diffraction is characteristic of atomic beams as well (he also demonstrated the wave properties of protons); in 1933, together with O. Frisch, he was the first to measure the magnetic moment of the proton in the hydrogen molecule, and with Estermann that of the deuteron. For his contribution to the development of the molecular-beam method and the discovery of the magnetic moment of the proton he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1943. A member of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA (1945).