THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FIELD OF MOLECULAR BEAMS

STERN, OTTO.

Zur Methode der Molekularstrahlen. I. (Untersuchungen zur Molekularstrahlmethode aus dem Institut für physikalische Chemie der Hamburgischen Universität. Nr. 1.)

Berlin, Julius Springer, 1926. 8vo. Offprint in the original printed wrappes, "Sonderabdruck Band 39, Heft 10/11" printed on the front wrapper. A very fine and clean copy, near mint. Pp. 751-763. From the library of Niels Bohr.

Scarce offprint of Stern's first publication of his famous and groundbreaking series of papers named Untersuchungen zur Molekularstrahlmethode (U.z.M.), which established the field of molecular beams.

In the first of the U.z.M.-papers (the present), Stern explains the advantages and disadvantages of the method, discusses technical details, and then gives the program for future work. In this section he mentions 1, the measurement of magnetic moments of molecules, including those due to the electrons, to the nucleus, and those induced by diamagnetic action; 2, electric dipole moments, including the so-called permanent dipole moment as well as moments of higher order (quadrupoles); 3, the measurement of the field of force of molecules (molecular forces); 4, fundamental problems such as the recoil on emission of a quantum, the de Broglie waves of matter, and others. The execution of this immense program kept him busy and gave work to many assistants, students, postdoctoral fellows, and guests of his institute.
This series reached 30 papers before it ended prematurely due to interruption by Nazi Germany.

Order-nr.: 47132