Origins & Early Life

Wolfgang Paul (German pronunciation: [ˈvɔlfɡaŋ ˈpaʊ̯l] ; 10 August 1913 – 7 December 1993) was a German physicist, who co-developed the non-magnetic quadrupole mass filter which laid the foundation for what is now called an ion trap. He shared one-half of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1989 for this work with Hans Georg Dehmelt; the other half of the Prize in that year was awarded to Norman Foster Ramsey, Jr. Wolfgang Paul was born on 10 August 1913 in Lorenzkirch, Germany. He grew up in Munich where his father was a professor of pharmaceutical chemistry.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

After the first few years at the Technical University of Munich, he changed to Technische Universität Berlin in 1934 where he finished his Diploma in 1937 at the group of Hans Geiger. He followed his doctorate adviser Hans Kopfermann to the University of Kiel, and after being drafted to the air force, he finished his PhD in 1940 at Technische Universität Berlin. During World War II, he researched isotope separation, which is necessary to produce fissionable material for use in making nuclear weapons. For several years, he was a private lecturer at the University of Göttingen with Hans Kopfermann...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• 1913 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1913
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