Erwin Schrödinger

Profession: Physicist and Nobel Laureate

Nationality:

Biography: Erwin Schrödinger was an Austrian physicist who made significant contributions to the field of quantum mechanics, laying the groundwork for much of modern physics. He is best known for his development of the Schrödinger equation, which describes the behavior of quantum systems, and for the famous thought experiment known as Schrödinger's cat.

Schrödinger's most notable achievement, the Schrödinger equation, was developed in 1926 and provided a groundbreaking new way to describe the behavior of particles at the quantum level. The equation played a crucial role in the development of wave mechanics, a formulation of quantum mechanics that offered new insights into the properties of atomic and subatomic particles.

In addition to his work on quantum mechanics, Schrödinger is known for his thought experiment, Schrödinger's cat, which he devised to illustrate the counterintuitive nature of quantum mechanics and the concept of superposition. The experiment involves a cat placed in a sealed box with a radioactive atom, a Geiger counter, and a vial of poison.

If the Geiger counter detects radioactivity, the vial breaks, releasing the poison and killing the cat. According to quantum mechanics, the radioactive atom exists in a superposition of decayed and non-decayed states until it is observed, which implies that the cat, too, exists in a superposition of being both alive and dead. The act of observation collapses the superposition into one definite state, either alive or dead. The experiment highlights the peculiar and counterintuitive implications of quantum mechanics when applied to everyday objects and macroscopic systems.

Schrödinger's contributions to the field of quantum mechanics earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1933, which he shared with Paul Dirac. Throughout his career, Schrödinger also worked on problems related to statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, and the nature of life, making him an influential figure in multiple areas of physics.

Born: August 12, 1887
Birthplace: Vienna, Austria-Hungary

Generation: Lost Generation
Star Sign: Leo

Died: January 4, 1961 (aged 73)
Cause of Death: Tuberculosis