Who created quantum mechanics
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
The Creation of Quantum Mechanics
Early Foundations and Key Contributors
Planck, Einstein, and Bohr: Pioneers of Quantum Theory
The origins of quantum mechanics can be traced back to the early 20th century with the groundbreaking work of Max Planck, Albert Einstein, and Niels Bohr. Planck's introduction of the quantum hypothesis in 1900, which proposed that energy is quantized, laid the foundation for quantum theory7. Einstein further developed these ideas by explaining the photoelectric effect in 1905, demonstrating that light itself is quantized into particles called photons2 10. Bohr's model of the atom, introduced in 1913, incorporated quantum ideas to explain atomic spectra, marking another significant step towards the development of quantum mechanics10.
The Old Quantum Theory
Between 1900 and 1923, the old quantum theory emerged, characterized by a series of ad hoc hypotheses to explain various physical phenomena. This period saw contributions from Arnold Sommerfeld and others, who extended Bohr's model to include elliptical orbits and relativistic effects, successfully explaining the fine structure of hydrogen and X-ray spectra10. However, the old quantum theory faced significant challenges, such as its inability to provide consistent models for more complex systems like helium and the Zeeman effect10.
The Birth of Modern Quantum Mechanics
Heisenberg, Born, and Jordan: Matrix Mechanics
The period from 1925 to 1927 marked the birth of modern quantum mechanics. Werner Heisenberg, Max Born, and Pascual Jordan developed matrix mechanics, the first complete formulation of quantum mechanics. This approach introduced the concept of commutation relations and quantum equations of motion, fundamentally changing the understanding of physical quantities and their discrete changes, known as "quantum jumps"3 4. Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, which states that certain pairs of physical properties cannot be simultaneously known to arbitrary precision, was a key outcome of this formulation6.
Schrödinger: Wave Mechanics
Independently, Erwin Schrödinger developed wave mechanics in 1926, providing an alternative but equivalent formulation of quantum mechanics. Schrödinger's wave equation described how the quantum state of a physical system changes over time, introducing the concept of wave-particle duality6. This duality, where particles exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties, became a cornerstone of quantum theory.
Dirac and Pauli: Further Developments
Paul Dirac and Wolfgang Pauli made significant contributions to the theoretical framework of quantum mechanics. Dirac's work on the principles of quantum mechanics and his introduction of the Dirac equation for relativistic electrons expanded the theory's applicability8. Pauli's exclusion principle, which states that no two electrons can occupy the same quantum state simultaneously, explained the structure of the periodic table and the behavior of electrons in atoms8.
Mathematical Foundations
Von Neumann: Rigorous Mathematical Formulation
John von Neumann played a crucial role in providing a rigorous mathematical foundation for quantum mechanics. His work on the theory of Hermitean operators and Hilbert spaces established the mathematical structure necessary for the transformation theory, which he regarded as the definitive form of quantum mechanics5. Von Neumann's contributions addressed general problems in quantum theory, such as quantum statistical mechanics and measurement processes, solidifying the theoretical underpinnings of the field1 5.
Conclusion
Quantum mechanics was created through the collaborative efforts of several pioneering physicists, including Planck, Einstein, Bohr, Heisenberg, Born, Jordan, Schrödinger, Dirac, and Pauli. Their combined contributions, spanning from the early 20th century to the late 1920s, transformed the understanding of physical phenomena and established quantum mechanics as a fundamental theory in physics. The rigorous mathematical formulation provided by von Neumann further solidified its theoretical foundation, ensuring its continued relevance and application in modern science.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
The mathematical foundations of quantum mechanics
Von Neumann's work provided the first complete mathematical formulation of quantum mechanics and a systematic comparison with classical mechanics, paving the way for the quantum revolution and beyond.
Highly CitedQuantum criticality
Quantum criticality, a concept that puzzled Einstein and his contemporaries, is now redefining our understanding of quantum matter transformations at ultra-low temperatures.
Highly Cited