Hermann Arthur Jahn
Encyclopedia
Professor Hermann Arthur Jahn (b. 31 May 1907, Colchester
, England; d. 24 October 1979 Southampton
) was an English
scientist of German origin. With Edward Teller
, he was responsible for identifying the Jahn-Teller effect
.
on Monks Road in Lincoln
.
Jahn received a BSc
in Chemistry at University College, London in 1928. He received his PhD
on 14 February 1935 under the supervision of Werner Heisenberg
at the University of Leipzig
. The title of his dissertation was "The rotation and oscillation of the methane molecule". From 1935-41 he did research at the Davy Faraday Research Laboratory at the Royal Institution
in London.
at Farnborough Airfield
. He was (the first) Professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Southampton
from 1949-73. He published scientific papers on quantum mechanics
and group theory
.
. They had a son (born 1944) and a daughter (born 1946).
He died in 1979 aged 72.
Colchester
Colchester is an historic town and the largest settlement within the borough of Colchester in Essex, England.At the time of the census in 2001, it had a population of 104,390. However, the population is rapidly increasing, and has been named as one of Britain's fastest growing towns. As the...
, England; d. 24 October 1979 Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
) was an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
scientist of German origin. With Edward Teller
Edward Teller
Edward Teller was a Hungarian-American theoretical physicist, known colloquially as "the father of the hydrogen bomb," even though he did not care for the title. Teller made numerous contributions to nuclear and molecular physics, spectroscopy , and surface physics...
, he was responsible for identifying the Jahn-Teller effect
Jahn-Teller effect
The Jahn–Teller effect, sometimes also known as Jahn–Teller distortion, or the Jahn–Teller theorem, describes the geometrical distortion of non-linear molecules under certain situations. This electronic effect is named after Hermann Arthur Jahn and Edward Teller, who proved, using group theory,...
.
Early life
He was the son of Friedrich Wilhelm Hermann Jahn and Marion May Curtiss. He attended City SchoolLincoln College, Lincolnshire
Lincoln College is a predominantly further education college based in the City of Lincoln, England.-Admissions:The college's main is on Monks Road , specifically to the north, and to the south of Lindum Hill .-Satellite sites:...
on Monks Road in Lincoln
Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Lincoln is a cathedral city and county town of Lincolnshire, England.The non-metropolitan district of Lincoln has a population of 85,595; the 2001 census gave the entire area of Lincoln a population of 120,779....
.
Jahn received a BSc
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Chemistry at University College, London in 1928. He received his PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
on 14 February 1935 under the supervision of Werner Heisenberg
Werner Heisenberg
Werner Karl Heisenberg was a German theoretical physicist who made foundational contributions to quantum mechanics and is best known for asserting the uncertainty principle of quantum theory...
at the University of Leipzig
University of Leipzig
The University of Leipzig , located in Leipzig in the Free State of Saxony, Germany, is one of the oldest universities in the world and the second-oldest university in Germany...
. The title of his dissertation was "The rotation and oscillation of the methane molecule". From 1935-41 he did research at the Davy Faraday Research Laboratory at the Royal Institution
Royal Institution
The Royal Institution of Great Britain is an organization devoted to scientific education and research, based in London.-Overview:...
in London.
Career
From 1941-6 he was based at the Royal Aircraft EstablishmentRoyal Aircraft Establishment
The Royal Aircraft Establishment , was a British research establishment, known by several different names during its history, that eventually came under the aegis of the UK Ministry of Defence , before finally losing its identity in mergers with other institutions.The first site was at Farnborough...
at Farnborough Airfield
Farnborough Airfield
Farnborough Airport or TAG London Farnborough Airport is an airport situated in Farnborough, Rushmoor, Hampshire, England...
. He was (the first) Professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Southampton
University of Southampton
The University of Southampton is a British public university located in the city of Southampton, England, a member of the Russell Group. The origins of the university can be dated back to the founding of the Hartley Institution in 1862 by Henry Robertson Hartley. In 1902, the Institution developed...
from 1949-73. He published scientific papers on quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics, also known as quantum physics or quantum theory, is a branch of physics providing a mathematical description of much of the dual particle-like and wave-like behavior and interactions of energy and matter. It departs from classical mechanics primarily at the atomic and subatomic...
and group theory
Group theory
In mathematics and abstract algebra, group theory studies the algebraic structures known as groups.The concept of a group is central to abstract algebra: other well-known algebraic structures, such as rings, fields, and vector spaces can all be seen as groups endowed with additional operations and...
.
Personal life
He married Karoline Schuler in 1943 in HendonHendon
Hendon is a London suburb situated northwest of Charing Cross.-History:Hendon was historically a civil parish in the county of Middlesex. The manor is described in Domesday , but the name, 'Hendun' meaning 'at the highest hill', is earlier...
. They had a son (born 1944) and a daughter (born 1946).
He died in 1979 aged 72.