Epstein, Paul S. (Paul Sophus), 1883-1966
Oral History interview with Paul S. Epstein, 1965.
Memoirs recorded by Paul Sophus Epstein (1883-1966) with his wife, Alice Epstein, late in 1965 and possibly into early 1966. He describes his undergraduate and graduate study in physics at Moscow University, 1901-1909, under P. N. Lebedev, and his move to Munich in early 1910 to begin his doctoral study under A. Sommerfeld; Sommerfelds scientific background and connections in Kn̲igsberg, Gt̲tingen and Aachen are described. He acknowledges P. Ehrenfests influence in the move to Munich and the change from experimental to theoretical physics, and he recounts aspects of Ehrenfests early career. Epstein remembers his German professors: C. L. F. Lindemann (mathematics), P. H. von Groth (crystallography), W. C. Rn̲tgen (physics); his Munich student colleagues P. Debye, M. von Laue, A. F. Ioffe, P. P. Ewald. World War I delays the completion of his studies and creates financial hardship. He recounts leaving Munich for Zurich (1919), where he meets A. Einstein; his Habilitation thesis on the application of the Stark effect to optics creates a stir. He subsequently moves to Leiden to assist Ehrenfest and H. Lorentz (1921). Epstein meets R. A. Millikan in Leiden, decides to take teaching position at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. He describes his early period at Caltech and colleagues there (1920s). Epstein ends with an account of Rn̲tgens career, especially his discovery of X rays; discusses Rn̲tgens relations with Sommerfeld in Munich.
Physicist, California Institute of Technology, 1921-1953; taught the advanced courses in mathematical and theoretical physics. First European-trained physicist to come to Caltech on a permanent basis; recruited by Robert A. Millikan in 1921. Early research in theory of electromagnetic waves, particularly theory of their diffraction. Studied quantum theory of atomic structure based on classical mechanics; applying quantum theory to optics; Bohr's form of quantum theory; development of quantum mechanics. Also interested in psychoanalysis, helped establish the Los Angeles Institute of Psychoanalysis.
Debye, Peter J. W. (Peter Josef William), 1884-1966-
Ehrenfest, Paul, 1880-1933.
Einstein, Albert, 1879-1955.
Groth, P. (Paul), 1843-1927.
Ioffe, A. F. (Abram Fedorovich), 1880-1960.
Laue, Max von, 1879-1960.
Lebedev, P. N. (Petr Nikolaevich), 1866-1912.
Millikan, Robert Andrews, 1868-1953.
Rn̲tgen, Wilhelm Conrad, 1845-1923.
Sommerfeld, Arnold, 1868-1951.
California Institute of Technology -- Faculty -- Interviews.
Optics -- History -- 20th century.
Interviews. aat
Oral histories. aat
Transcripts. aat
Ewald, Paul Peter, 1888-1985
Epstein, Alice, interviewer.
AIP-ICOS
California Institute of Technology. Institute Archives. 1201 East California Blvd. (Mail Code 015A-74), Pasadena, CA 91125, USA