1933 Nobel Prize in Physics
Reason for Award
for the discovery of new productive forms of atomic theory. Key papers: E. Schrödinger, Phys. Rev. 28 (1926) 1049-1070; P. A. M. Dirac, Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A 117 (1928) 610-624; 118 (1928) 351-361; 133 (1931) 60-72
Laureates
Austria
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Explanation
Everything is built from tiny pieces called atoms. Schrödinger imagined that these pieces act like waves on water and wrote an equation to describe the waves. Dirac then created a new equation that works even when electrons move almost at the speed of light and explained their little magnetic spin. These equations are used in today’s technology such as smartphones and lasers. For these great ideas they received the 1933 Nobel Prize.
Related Keywords
Schrödinger equation
The fundamental equation of non-relativistic quantum mechanics, describing the temporal and spatial evolution of a particle’s wave function. Its eigenvalue solutions give discrete energy levels and are widely used for hydrogen atoms and quantum wells. The modulus-squared of the wave function represents probability density, matching experimental statistics. Diverse quantum phenomena emerge from varying boundary conditions and potentials. Applications span chemistry, semiconductor engineering and molecular biology.
Dirac equation
A first-order partial differential equation unifying special relativity with quantum mechanics. Using gamma matrices and spinors, it yields electron spin and magnetic moment intrinsically. Its negative-energy solutions predicted antiparticles, confirmed by the positron’s discovery. Coupling to gauge fields provides the foundation of quantum electrodynamics. It is indispensable in modern high-energy physics and cosmology.
quantum mechanics
The theoretical framework governing the microscopic world. It addresses behaviours of atoms, molecules and electrons in solids unexplained by classical mechanics. Concepts such as superposition and the uncertainty principle are central. Quantum mechanics underpins technologies like lasers, semiconductor devices and MRI scanners. Mathematically it relies on Hilbert spaces and operator theory.
wave function
A complex function that fully characterises the state of a particle or system. Its phase information produces interference and tunnelling phenomena. Normalisation ensures total probability equals one over all space. Collapse or discontinuity upon measurement raises the “measurement problem.” In quantum information science it represents the state of qubits.
electron spin
An intrinsic angular momentum of the electron, distinct from classical rotation. Its spin-1/2 nature allows two orientations and explains the Pauli exclusion principle and magnetism. It arises naturally in the Dirac equation, yielding a magnetic moment with g≈2. Spin is a key resource in spintronics and quantum computing. It also underlies NMR and MRI technology.
antiparticle
A particle with the same mass as its counterpart but opposite electric and other quantum numbers. Predicted by Dirac’s negative-energy solutions and confirmed by the positron’s discovery. Particle-antiparticle pairs annihilate into energy when they meet. Explaining the cosmic matter–antimatter asymmetry is a major challenge in physics. Positron emission tomography (PET) exploits annihilation radiation for medical imaging.
probabilistic interpretation
Max Born’s idea of interpreting the wave-function modulus squared as a probability density. It links theoretical predictions with statistical distributions of measurements. The concept of wave-function collapse upon observation solidified the Copenhagen interpretation. The probabilistic view underpins quantum statistics and quantum information theory. It remains scrutinised through hidden-variable debates and Bell-inequality experiments.
eigenvalue problem
Observables in quantum systems correspond to eigenvalues of operators. Energy eigenvalues determine spectral lines and activation energies in chemical reactions. Perturbation theory and numerical methods are employed when analytical solutions are unattainable. Completeness of eigenvectors is essential for expanding time evolution. Mathematically it relies on the spectral theorem for self-adjoint operators.
atomic spectra
Characteristic wavelength patterns emitted or absorbed by atoms. Quantum mechanics explains them as electronic transitions and calculates them accurately via the Schrödinger equation. Spectral lines reveal elemental composition of stars and cosmic redshifts. Laser spectroscopy and atomic clocks push spectral precision to the limit. Spectral analysis also tests quantum electrodynamics.
relativistic quantum mechanics
An extension of quantum mechanics for particles moving at relativistic speeds. Represented by the Dirac and Klein-Gordon equations. It unifies concepts of mass-energy equivalence, spin and antiparticles. Essential in high-energy experiments, cosmic-ray studies and heavy-ion collisions. It served as a bridge toward full quantum field theory.