Google on Monday honoured German physicist and mathematician Max Born on his 135th birth anniversary for his contributions to the field of quantum mechanics. Born won the Nobel Prize in physics in 1954 for his “fundamental research in Quantum Mechanics, especially in the statistical interpretation of the wave function”.
Quantum mechanics is a part of physics that studies matter at the smallest form possible. It led to the invention of personal computers, lasers, and medical imaging devices.
Present day’s quantum physics predictions are based on Born’s theory, also known as the Born Rule. According to Born’s theory, matrices or “arrays of numbers by rows and columns” could yield a similar result, relying on predictions of probability. This challenged previous theories that suggested wave equations were exact measurements involving massive physical measurement experiments.
Born in Breslau on December 11, 1882, he completed his PhD from Göttingen University and became a professor of theoretical physics. In 1933, he was forced to move to England where taught at the Cambridge University for three years. He then went to Edinburgh University and taught there till 1954.
Monday’s Google doodle, created by guest artist Kati Szilagyi, shows Born looking at a pile of papers and books. He is seen scratching his head with the symbol for the wave function, known as the Psi.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!