Joachim Nitsche
Encyclopedia
Joachim A. Nitsche was a German
mathematician
and professor of mathematics
in Freiburg
, known for his important contributions to the mathematical
and numerical analysis
of partial differential equations. The duality argument for estimating the error of the finite element method
and a scheme for the weak enforcement of Dirichlet boundary condition
s for Poisson's equation
bear his name.
in 1946. Starting in summer 1947, he studied mathematics
the University of Göttingen, where he received his Diplom
(under supervision of Franz Rellich
) after only six semesters. In 1951, he received his degree (Dr. rer. nat.) at the Technical University of Berlin-Charlottenburg (nowadays TU Berlin). After only two years, he received his Habilitation
at the Free University of Berlin
.
, which he left for a position at IBM
in Böblingen
. He became professor at the Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg in 1958 and received the chair for Applied Mathematics
there in 1962. He remained in this position until he became emeritus
in 1991.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
mathematician
Mathematician
A mathematician is a person whose primary area of study is the field of mathematics. Mathematicians are concerned with quantity, structure, space, and change....
and professor of mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
in Freiburg
Freiburg
Freiburg im Breisgau is a city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. In the extreme south-west of the country, it straddles the Dreisam river, at the foot of the Schlossberg. Historically, the city has acted as the hub of the Breisgau region on the western edge of the Black Forest in the Upper Rhine Plain...
, known for his important contributions to the mathematical
Mathematical analysis
Mathematical analysis, which mathematicians refer to simply as analysis, has its beginnings in the rigorous formulation of infinitesimal calculus. It is a branch of pure mathematics that includes the theories of differentiation, integration and measure, limits, infinite series, and analytic functions...
and numerical analysis
Numerical analysis
Numerical analysis is the study of algorithms that use numerical approximation for the problems of mathematical analysis ....
of partial differential equations. The duality argument for estimating the error of the finite element method
Finite element method
The finite element method is a numerical technique for finding approximate solutions of partial differential equations as well as integral equations...
and a scheme for the weak enforcement of Dirichlet boundary condition
Dirichlet boundary condition
In mathematics, the Dirichlet boundary condition is a type of boundary condition, named after Johann Peter Gustav Lejeune Dirichlet who studied under Cauchy and succeeded Gauss at University of Göttingen. When imposed on an ordinary or a partial differential equation, it specifies the values a...
s for Poisson's equation
Poisson's equation
In mathematics, Poisson's equation is a partial differential equation of elliptic type with broad utility in electrostatics, mechanical engineering and theoretical physics...
bear his name.
Education
Nitsche graduated from school at BischofswerdaBischofswerda
Bischofswerda is a small town in Germany at the western edge of Upper Lusatia in Saxony.-Geography:The town is located 33 km to the east of Dresden at the edge of the Upper Lusatian mountain country. The town is known as the "Gateway to Upper Lusatia" - "Tor zur Oberlausitz" in German. It is...
in 1946. Starting in summer 1947, he studied mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
the University of Göttingen, where he received his Diplom
Diplom
A Diplom is an academic degree in the German-speaking countries Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and a similarly named degree in some other European countries including Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Estonia, Finland , Greece, Hungary, Russia, Serbia, Macedonia, Slovenia, and Ukraine...
(under supervision of Franz Rellich
Franz Rellich
Franz Rellich was an Austrian-Italian mathematician.He made important contributions in mathematical physics, in particular for the foundations of quantum mechanics and for the theory ofpartial differential equations....
) after only six semesters. In 1951, he received his degree (Dr. rer. nat.) at the Technical University of Berlin-Charlottenburg (nowadays TU Berlin). After only two years, he received his Habilitation
Habilitation
Habilitation is the highest academic qualification a scholar can achieve by his or her own pursuit in several European and Asian countries. Earned after obtaining a research doctorate, such as a PhD, habilitation requires the candidate to write a professorial thesis based on independent...
at the Free University of Berlin
Free University of Berlin
Freie Universität Berlin is one of the leading and most prestigious research universities in Germany and continental Europe. It distinguishes itself through its modern and international character. It is the largest of the four universities in Berlin. Research at the university is focused on the...
.
Professional career
From 1955 to 1957, Nitsche held a teaching position at the Free University of BerlinFree University of Berlin
Freie Universität Berlin is one of the leading and most prestigious research universities in Germany and continental Europe. It distinguishes itself through its modern and international character. It is the largest of the four universities in Berlin. Research at the university is focused on the...
, which he left for a position at IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
in Böblingen
Böblingen
Böblingen is a town in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, seat of Böblingen District. Physically Sindelfingen and Böblingen are continuous.-History:Böblingen was founded by Count Wilhelm von Tübingen-Böblingen in 1253. Württemberg acquired the town in 1357, and on 12 May 1525 one of the bloodiest battles...
. He became professor at the Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg in 1958 and received the chair for Applied Mathematics
Applied mathematics
Applied mathematics is a branch of mathematics that concerns itself with mathematical methods that are typically used in science, engineering, business, and industry. Thus, "applied mathematics" is a mathematical science with specialized knowledge...
there in 1962. He remained in this position until he became emeritus
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
in 1991.