Otto Stern (1888-1969): The founding father of experimental atomic physics

TL;DR

This paper reviews Otto Stern's pioneering contributions to experimental atomic physics, highlighting his development of the molecular beam technique and key discoveries like molecular velocity distributions, space quantization, matter wave diffraction, and magnetic moments.

Contribution

It introduces Otto Stern's innovative experimental methods and foundational discoveries that established the field of atomic physics.

Findings

Determined Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of molecular velocities

Demonstrated space quantization of angular momentum

Observed diffraction of matter waves by crystals

Abstract

We review the work and life of Otto Stern who developed the molecular beam technique and with its aid laid the foundations of experimental atomic physics. Among the key results of his research are: the experimental determination of the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of molecular velocities (1920), experimental demonstration of space quantization of angular momentum (1922), diffraction of matter waves comprised of atoms and molecules by crystals (1931) and the determination of the magnetic dipole moments of the proton and deuteron (1933).