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Lot #336
Wolfgang Pauli

Important scientific letter between quantum physics pioneers: "How essential is it, that the photons only are regularized, but not the electrons or the whole expression?"

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Estimate: $12000+
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Important scientific letter between quantum physics pioneers: "How essential is it, that the photons only are regularized, but not the electrons or the whole expression?"

Pioneer of quantum physics (1900-1958) who received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1945 after being nominated by Albert Einstein. ALS signed “W. Pauli,” one page both sides, 8.25 x 11.75, July 19, 1949. Letter to the eminent American physicist Joaquin M. Luttinger, in part: "I was very glad about the result of zero-charge renormalization and also about the importance of the regularization for it. The essential circumstance seems to be that [three lines of formulas]. (How essential is it, that the photons only are regularized, but not the electrons or the whole expression?)…term [followed by formula] is rather strange, but perhaps he has some ‘revealed’ reason for this term. Now it is important that Schafroth does not publish anything which is wrong on this charge renormalization. That means he has to be warned not to send off the proofs of his A.P.A. paper without correcting this error. Do you know where he can be reached? Of course I do not want to spoil his vacation and it may take some time until he gets the proof. On the other hand, once his attention will be directed toward this elementary fact above it will be easy for him to make the necessary correction. I am sorry that I have to bother you with another affair. Rosenfeld writes to me, that he will pass through Zurich on July 31st and he begs me to reserve a room for him in a cheap (he will only have 20 Swiss Francs) hotel for one night. Could you ask either the secretary or…(the latter proposes R. himself) to arrange this…and to write to L. Rosenfeld (address: c/o Prof. N. Bohr, Tisvilde, Denmark) the result. (Rosenfeld is in Denmark to ‘finish’ the paper with Bohr on the measurability of charge, so one should not write to him to Manchester)." In fine condition. An important letter between colleagues—Pauli had received the Nobel Prize four years earlier for his discovery of the exclusion principle, and Luttinger had made his noteworthy calculation of the the anomalous magnetic moment of the electron in 1948. In addition to the excellent scientific content of this letter, it boasts the mention of fellow quantum physicist and Nobel Prize-winner Niels Bohr. An exceedingly desirable piece.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: March Auction
  • Dates: #523 - Ended March 07, 2018





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