Heike Kamerlingh Onnes: master of experimental technique and quantitative research.

REIF-ACHERMAN S.

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Heike Kamerlingh Onnes: master of experimental technique and quantitative research.

Author(s) : REIF-ACHERMAN S.

Type of article: Article

Summary

Heike Kamerlingh Onnes (1853-1926), born a century and a half ago, was a major protagonist in the so-called Second Golden Age of Dutch Science. He devoted his career to the emerging field of low-temperature physics. His particular concern was to test the theories of his older compatriot Johannes Diderik van der Waals (1837-1923) by creating a style of research that was characterized by meticulous planning, precise measurement, and constant improvement of techniques and instruments. He made numerous contributions to low-temperature physics; the author focuses on his liquefaction of helium, for which he received the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1913, and on his discovery of superconductivity. He became known internationally as "le gentleman du zéro absolu".

Details

Original title: Heike Kamerlingh Onnes: master of experimental technique and quantitative research.
Record ID : 2005-0455
Languages: English
Source: Phys. Perspect. - vol. 6 - n. 2
Publication date: 2004/07

Links

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Indexing

Themes: Low-temperature physics;
History of refrigeration;
Properties of cryogenic fluids and materials;
Gas liquefaction and separation;
Applications of liquified gases;
Superconduction
Keywords: Superconduction; Cryotemperature; Liquid helium; Liquefaction; Bibliography; Research; Man; History; Cryogenics