Scientific Papers of Ettore Majorana: A New Expanded Edition

Description

The volume presents in chronological order English translations of 10 papers by Ettore Majorana, most of which have never been translated into English before. Two further contributions are also included: a talk on the Thomas-Fermi Method that Majorana gave at the General Meeting of the Italian Physical Society when he was still a student, and not included in his publication list to date. The other is "Notes for the Inaugural Lecture" of the Majorana Course at the University of Naples. Each paper is accompanied by the comments of an expert in the respective field. The volume will be of interest to the specialists in the History of Science, as well as to physicists concerned with problems related to Majorana’s contributions. Preface Contents The Genius of Ettore Majorana 1 Leonardo Sciascia's Idea 2 Enrico Fermi: Few Others in the World Could Match Majorana's Deep Understanding of the Physics of the Time 3 Recollections by Robert Oppenheimer 4 The Discovery of the Neutron—Recollections by Emilio Segrè and Gian Carlo Wick 5 The Majorana ``Neutrinos''—Recollections by Bruno Pontecorvo—The Majorana Discovery on the Dirac γ-Matrices 5.1 The Origin 5.2 The Dirac Equation Corresponds to Four Coupled Equations 5.3 The Great Novelty: The Dirac γ-Matrices 6 The First Course of the Subnuclear Physics School (1963): John Bell on the Dirac and Majorana Neutrinos 7 The First Step to Relativistically Describe Particles with Arbitrary Spin 8 The Centennial of the Birth of a Genius—A Homage by the International Scientific Community Bibliography On the Splitting of the Roentgen and Optical Terms Caused by the Electron Rotation and on the Intensity of the Cesium Lines Majorana dr Ettore: Search for a General Expression of Rydberg Corrections, Valid for Neutral Atoms or Positive Ions On the Formation of Molecular Helium Ion On the Possible Anomalous Terms of Helium Pseudopolar Reaction of Hydrogen Atoms Theory of the Incomplete P' Triplets Oriented Atoms in a Variable Magnetic Field Relativistic Theory of Particles with Arbitrary Intrinsic Angular Momentum On Nuclear Theory A Symmetric Theory of Electrons and Positrons The Value of Statistical Laws in Physics and Social Sciences 1 The Concept of Nature According to Classical Physics 2 The Classical Meaning of Statistical Laws and Social Statistics 3 The New Concepts of Physics Are Neutrinos Completely Neutral Particles? References Majorana Fermions in Condensed Matter References Biographical Notes on Ettore Majorana 1 The Years of Education Up to His Degree in Physics 2 Ettore Majorana's Scientific Research While Still a Student 3 From His Degree to His Libera Docenza (Independent Lectureship Qualification) 4 His Visit to Leipzig in 1933 5 Years of Silence 1933–1937 6 The Awakening in 1937 and the Competition for University Chair 7 Majorana in Naples. His Disappearance