Autograph Document Signed, in French, 4to, on 3pp. "The Role of Optics and Spectroscopy in the Physical Sciences", Paris, 1978.
KASTLER, ALFRED (1902-84) German-French physicist. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1966 for the discovery and development of optical methods for studying Hertzian resonances in atoms.
This is an outline for a paper by Kastler called "The Role of Optics and Spectroscopy in the Physical Sciences." He sets down in outline form the timeline of the exploration and achievements in the physical sciences. "The essential physical sciences: Mechanics and optics, flourishing as early as the 17th century...other parts of physics...developing in...19th century...thermodynamics...electricity...nuclear physics --20th century. 17th century Galileo found mechanics and shows an interest in optics (Galileo's lens) while Snellius...and Descartes lay the foundations of geometric optics: matter and dispersion. End of the 17th century: Newton and Huyghens broadcasting theory-waves theory. 19th century: Interference: Young-Fressel Diffraction: Fraunhofer Spectroscopy: Newton, Networks (Fraunhofer)...." These outline notes go on to cover discoveries and scientific problems through the centuries up to the 20th century, where he mentions Louis de Broglie, Schrodinger, Heisenberg, Max Bern, the emergence of nuclear spectrosocopy and radiofrequency spectroscopy. He signs at the end, "A. Kastler". (Item ID: 1220)
$975.00
It is an outline probably understood by advanced students and colleagues and is sophisticated in its scope, both of scientific principles and subsequent discoveries and the ensuing technology made available for the purposes of astronomy and physics. He lays out developments in astronomy and optics, light, radiation, the development of quantum mechanics alongside the theory of relativity and the conflicts between those two disciplines. Then on to other developments in the 20th century regarding the galaxy, and the uses of optics and spectroscopy, how they fit with the physical sciences in continuing studies of the universe. It is signed at the end, "A. Kastler". It is also signed at the beginning of the paper at the top, "Alfred Kastler, 1978". In good condition.
