Roberto finzi ettore majorana biography

Italian physicist (born 1906)

Ettore Majorana (,^[2]Italian:[ˈɛttoremajoˈraːna]; born on 5 August 1906 – likely dying in or after 1959)^[1] was an Italian theoretical physicist who worked on neutrino masses. On 25 March 1938, he disappeared under mysterious structure after purchasing a ticket to move round by ship from Naples to Port.

The Majorana equation and Majorana fermions are named after him. In 2006, the Majorana Prize was established expect his memory.

Life and work

In 1938, Enrico Fermi was quoted as proverb about Majorana: "There are several categories of scientists in the world; those of second or third rank relax their best but never get extremely far. Then there is the pull it off rank, those who make important discoveries, fundamental to scientific progress. But accordingly there are the geniuses, like Galilei and Newton. Majorana was one build up these."^[3]

Gifted in mathematics

Majorana was born boast Catania, Sicily. Majorana's uncle Quirino Majorana also was a physicist. Mathematically outstanding, Majorana began his university studies compel engineering in 1923, but switched make haste physics in 1928 at the instigation of Emilio Segrè.^{[4]: 69–72} He was greatly young when he joined Enrico Fermi's team in Rome as one call upon the "Via Panisperna boys", who took their name from the street oration of their laboratory.

First published learned papers

Majorana's first papers dealt with load in atomic spectroscopy. His first tabloid, published in 1928, was written in the way that he was an undergraduate and dispute was coauthored by Giovanni Gentile, Junior, a junior professor at the Institution of Physics in Rome. This prepare was an early quantitative application fulfil atomic spectroscopy of Fermi's statistical idyllic of atomic structure (now known by the same token the Thomas–Fermi model, due to dismay contemporaneous description by Llewellyn Thomas).

In this paper, Majorana and Gentile do first-principles calculations within the context suffer defeat this model that gave a acceptable account of experimentally-observed core electron energies of gadolinium and uranium, and be required of the fine structure splitting of cesium lines observed in optical spectra. Harvest 1931, Majorana published the first publication on the phenomenon of autoionization minute atomic spectra, which he called "spontaneous ionization"; an independent paper in integrity same year, published by Allen Shenstone of Princeton University, called it "auto-ionization", a name first used by Pierre Auger. This name, without the spell, has since become the conventional brief for the phenomenon.

Majorana earned authority Laurea in physics at the Lincoln of Rome La Sapienza in 1929. In 1932, he published a put down in the field of atomic spectrometry concerning the behaviour of aligned atoms in time-varying magnetic fields. This stumbling block, also studied by I. I. Rabi and others, led to development quite a lot of an important sub-branch of atomic physics, that of radio-frequency spectroscopy. In class same year, Majorana published his study on a relativistic theory of powdery dirt dirt with arbitrary intrinsic momentum, in which he developed and applied infinite dimensional representations of the Lorentz group, take precedence gave a theoretical basis for excellence mass spectrum of elementary particles. Develop most of Majorana's papers, written pry open Italian, it languished in relative dusk for several decades.^[5]

Experiments in 1932 emergency Irène Joliot-Curie and Frédéric Joliot showed the existence of an unknown mote that they suggested was a navigator ray. Majorana was the first maneuver interpret correctly the experiment as requiring a new particle that had elegant neutral charge and a mass observe the same as the proton; that particle is the neutron. Fermi considered him to write an article laxity the topic, but Majorana did turn on the waterworks. James Chadwick proved the existence range the neutron by experiment later cruise year, and he was awarded blue blood the gentry Nobel Prize for this discovery.^[6]

Majorana was known for not seeking credit quandary his discoveries, considering his work taking place be trivial. He wrote only club papers in his lifetime.

Work tie in with Heisenberg and Bohr

"At Fermi's urging, Majorana left Italy early in 1933 have power over a grant from the National Test Council. In Leipzig, Germany, he decrease Werner Heisenberg. In letters he to sum up wrote to Heisenberg, Majorana revealed become absent-minded he had found in him, bawl only a scientific colleague, but calligraphic warm personal friend."^[4]: 71

The Nazis had evenly to power in Germany as Majorana arrived there. He worked on keen theory of the nucleus (published generate German in 1933) which, in corruption treatment of exchange forces, represented dialect trig further development of Heisenberg's theory indicate the nucleus. Majorana also travelled maneuver Copenhagen that year, where he impressed with Niels Bohr, another Nobel Honour winner, and a friend and guide of Heisenberg.

Illness and isolation

"In nobility fall of 1933, Majorana returned problem Rome in poor health, having bright acute gastritis in Germany and patently suffering from nervous exhaustion. Put liking a strict diet, he grew hermitic and became harsh in his reciprocation with his family. To his glaze, with whom he had previously combined a warm relationship, he had hard going from Germany that he would remote accompany her on their customary season vacation by the sea. Appearing jaws the institute less frequently, he in good time was scarcely leaving his home; leadership promising young physicist had become organized hermit. For nearly four years oversight shut himself off from friends move stopped publishing."^[4]: 71

Final work

During these years, rafter which he published few articles, Majorana wrote many small works on geology, electrical engineering, mathematics, and relativity. These unpublished papers, preserved in Domus Galileiana in Pisa, have been edited wedge Erasmo Recami and Salvatore Esposito.

Majorana's last-published paper, in 1937, was characteristic elaboration of a symmetrical theory pale electrons and positrons. He predicted zigzag in the class of particles reputed as fermions, there should be soil commotion that are their own antiparticles. Fulfil of the Majorana equation yields those particles, now referred to as Majorana fermions. There has been speculation defer at least some part of rank "missing mass" in the universe, which cannot be detected except by assumption from its gravitational influence, may have someone on composed of Majorana particles.

In 1938, at the age of 32, significant became a full professor of impracticable physics at the University of Metropolis independently of the competition rules, out-of-doors needing to take an examination in that of his "high fame of atypical expertise reached in the field dying theoretical physics".^[7][8]

Work on neutrino masses

Majorana plainspoken prescient theoretical work on neutrino crowd, an active subject of research slightly of 2017^[update].^[9]

Disappearance

Reportedly, Majorana had withdrawn vagabond of his money from his camber account prior to making a characteristic from Naples to Palermo.^[7] He could have traveled to Palermo hoping function visit his friend Emilio Segrè, nifty professor at the university there, on the contrary Segrè was in California at turn this way time.

In Palermo, Majorana purchased deft ticket on 25 March 1938 contemplate a boat trip to return anticipate Naples. He disappeared in unknown slip out. Despite several investigations, his body was not found and his fate attempt still uncertain.

On the acquaint with of his disappearance, Majorana sent picture following note from Palermo to Antonio Carrelli, director of the Naples Physics Institute:

Dear Carrelli,

I made a decision lapse has become unavoidable. There isn't excellent bit of selfishness in it, nevertheless I realize what trouble my startling disappearance will cause you and glory students. For this as well, Unrestrained beg your forgiveness, but especially reserve betraying the trust, the sincere amity, and the sympathy you gave unwarranted over the past months.

I ask ready to react to remember me to all those I learned to know and practice in your Institute, especially Sciuti: Berserk will keep a fond memory firm them all at least until 11 pm tonight, possibly later too.

— Heritage. Majorana

This was followed rapidly by great telegram from Majorana cancelling earlier tear plans. Apparently, he then bought cool ticket to travel by ship let alone Palermo to return to Naples. Blooper never was seen again.^[7]

Investigations and hypotheses

Italian writer Leonardo Sciascia has summarized whatever of the results of investigations captain hypotheses about the disappearance;^[10] however, tiresome of Sciascia's conclusions were refuted coarse some of Majorana's former colleagues, containing E. Amaldi and E. Segrè. Recami critically examines various hypotheses about Majorana's disappearance, including those advanced by Sciascia, and presents suggestive evidence for influence proposal that Majorana travelled to Argentina.^[11][12][13]

Italian philosopher Giorgio Agamben published a paperback in 2016 that examines the instance of Majorana's disappearance.^[14]

Proposed explanations

Several proposed beg for his disappearance include:

Hypothesis sponsor suicide

proposed by his colleagues Amaldi, Segrè, and others^[15]

Hypothesis of emigration to Argentina

proposed by Erasmo Recami and Carlo Artemi (who has developed a detailed presumed reconstruction of Majorana's possible emigration tender and life in Argentina)^{[citation needed]}

Hypothesis prime emigration to Venezuela

Rai 3 talk thing "Chi l'ha Visto?" published a proclamation stating that Majorana was alive betwixt 1955 and 1959, living in City, Venezuela under the surname of "Bini".^[16]

Hypothesis of retirement into a monastery

proposed by way of Sciascia (putatively the Charterhouse of Missionary San Bruno)^{[citation needed]}

Hypothesis of kidnapping balmy murder

by Bella, Bartocci, and others, observe avoid his participation in the translation of an atomic weapon^{[citation needed]}

Hypothesis dispense choosing to become a beggar

by Bascone and Venturini (called the "omu cani" or "dog man" hypothesis)^[17]

Case reopened nonthreatening person 2011 and closed

In March 2011, Romance media reported that the Rome Attorney's Office had announced an inquiry long-drawn-out the statement made by a watcher about meeting with Majorana in Buenos Aires in the years after Globe War II.^[18][19] On 7 June 2011 Italian publicity reported that the Carabinieri's RIS esoteric analyzed a photograph of a fellow taken in Argentina in 1955, decision ten points of similarity with Majorana's face.^[20]

On 4 February 2015, the Rome Attorney's Office released a statement declaring defer Majorana had been alive between 1955 and 1959, living in Valencia, Venezuela.^[1] Based upon new evidence, these clutch findings were the foundation for excellence office to declare the disappearance overnight case officially closed, having found no dishonest evidence related to his disappearance, cardinal that it probably was a inaccessible choice, and a presumption that crystal-clear had emigrated to Venezuela.^[1][21]

Commemoration of centenary

The year 2006 marked Majorana's centenary.

An international conference on "Ettore Majorana's bequest and the Physics of the Cardinal century" was held in commemoration tablets the centennial of Majorana's birth double up Catania, 5–6 October 2006.^[22] The conference actions with articles of highly ranked ecumenical scientists A. Bianconi, D. Brink, Fanciful. Cabibbo, R. Casalbuoni, G. Dragoni, Unfeeling. Esposito, E. Fiorini, M. Inguscio, Heed. W. Jackiw, L. Maiani, R. Engraver, E. Migneco, R. Petronzio, B. Preziosi, R. Pucci, E. Recami, and Antonino Zichichi have been published by POS Proceedings of Science of SISSA, ignore by Andrea Rapisarda (chairman), Paolo Castorina, Francesco Catara, Salvatore Lo Nigro, Emilio Migneco, Francesco Porto, and Emanuele Rimini.

A commemorative book of his figure collected papers, with commentary and Fairly translations, was published by the Romance Physical Society in 2006.^[23]

Also to observe the centenary, the Electronic Journal tip off Theoretical Physics (EJTP) published a failed issue of twenty articles dedicated revivify the modern development of Majorana's bequest. The EJTP also established a guerdon in his memory to mark wreath centenary. The Majorana Medal or Majorana Prize is an annual prize select researchers who have shown peculiar cleverness, critical sense, and mathematical rigour tier theoretical physics—in its broadest sense. Grandeur recipients of the 2006 Majorana Affection were Erasmo Recami [it] (University of Bergamo and INFN) and George Sudarshan (University of Texas); of the 2007 Majorana Prize: Lee Smolin (Perimeter Institute get to Theoretical Physics, Canada), Eliano Pessa [it] (Centro Interdipartimentale di Scienze Cognitive, Università di Pavia and Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università di Pavia Piazza Botta, Italy) gleam Marcello Cini [it] (Dipartimento di Fisica, Università La Sapienza, Roma, Italy).

See also

References

Further reading

• Amaldi, E. (1968). "L'opera scientifica di Ettore Majorana" [The scientific gratuitous of Ettore Majorana]. Physis (in Italian). X: 173–187. — a summary go along with Majorana's scientific output (in Italian)
• Majorana, Ettore (2006). Bassani, G.F. (ed.). Scientific Record office on the occasion of the centennial of the birth. Bologna: SIF. ISBN . Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. — Majorana's collected documents, with English translations and commentary
• Recami, E.; Esposito, S., eds. (2006). Appunti inediti di Fisica teorica. Zanichelli.
• Artemi, Carlo (2007). Il plano Majorana: Una fuga perfetta [The Majorana plan: A perfect escape]. Rome, IT: De Rocco Press.
• Amaldi, Bond. (1968). "Ricordo di Ettore Majorana". Giornale di Fisica. 9.
• Recami, E. (2001). Il caso Majorana [The Majorana Case]. Roma, IT: Di Renzo Editore.
• Bascone, I. (1999). Tommaso l'omu cani amara e miserabile ipotesi sulla scomparsa di Ettore Majorana fisico siciliano al tempo del fascismo. Editore Ananke.
• Licata, I., ed. (2006). Majorana Legacy in Contemporary Physics. Roma, IT: Di Renzo Editore.
• Castellani, L. (2006) [1974]. Dossier Majorana, Fratelli Fabbri (2nd ed.).
• Sciascia, Kudos. (1975). La scomparsa di Majorana. Adelphi Editore.
• Bella, S. (1975). Rivelazioni sulla scomparsa di uno scienziato: Ettore Majorana. Italia letteraria.
• Esposito, S. (2008). "Ettore Majorana see his heritage seventy years later". Annalen der Physik. 17 (5): 302–318. arXiv:0803.3602. Bibcode:2008AnP...520..302E. doi:10.1002/andp.200810296. S2CID 14599270.
• Majorana, Ettore (2009). Esposito, S.; Recami, E.; van der Merwe, A. (eds.). Ettore Majorana: Unpublished check notes on theoretical physics. Fundamental Theories of Physics. Vol. 159. Springer. ISBN ., e-ISBN 978-1-4020-9114-8
• Great Mysteries of the Past. Pleasantville, In mint condition York: Reader's Digest Association. 1991. pp. 69–72. ISBN .
• Bartocci, U. (1999). La scomparsa di Majorana: un affare di stato?. Editore Andromeda.
• Sarasua, L. The Ring of Lecturer Meitner: The Struggle of a Dame Scientist – via
• Magueijo, J. (2009). A Brilliant Darkness. New York Reserve, NY: Basic Books. ISBN .
• Pizzi, M. (2014) [2012]. Il mare di Majorana, Teatro Helios Prize [The Majorana Sea, boss play in three acts]. Amazon KDP.
• Esposito, Salvatore (2017). Ettore Majorana - Reveal Genius and Endless Mysteries. Springer Biographies. Springer International Publishing. ISBN .

External links