Eugene Wigner - Revision history

Cbranson3: /* The Wigner Effect */

2015-12-01T22:40:48Z

The Wigner Effect

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:40, 1 December 2015
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	==The Wigner Effect==		==The Wigner Effect==
	~~[[File:cm459706f7_online.jpg]]~~
	The Wigner effect is when the atom in a solid become displaced due to neutron radiation. This generally happens when neutrons collide with atoms in a crystal structure with enough energy to displace them from the lattice. This is most commonly found in nuclear reactors where energies can get up to 10 MeV, when a mere 25 eV is all thats needed for displacement to begin. This effect can become even more dramatic by causing displacement cascades inside of a matrix, via a series of elastic collisions. The Wigner effect can cause unplanned problems inside of reactors, as the now imperfect lattice structure has energy associated with it. When a large number of these imperfections accumulate, they could release their energy creating a dramatic increase in temperature, which is a risk in reactors with low operating temperatures. Such tragic effects have been seen in the real world, such as with the Windscale fire in Great Britain.		The Wigner effect is when the atom in a solid become displaced due to neutron radiation. This generally happens when neutrons collide with atoms in a crystal structure with enough energy to displace them from the lattice. This is most commonly found in nuclear reactors where energies can get up to 10 MeV, when a mere 25 eV is all thats needed for displacement to begin. This effect can become even more dramatic by causing displacement cascades inside of a matrix, via a series of elastic collisions. The Wigner effect can cause unplanned problems inside of reactors, as the now imperfect lattice structure has energy associated with it. When a large number of these imperfections accumulate, they could release their energy creating a dramatic increase in temperature, which is a risk in reactors with low operating temperatures. Such tragic effects have been seen in the real world, such as with the Windscale fire in Great Britain.

Cbranson3: /* The Wigner Effect */

2015-12-01T22:39:21Z

The Wigner Effect

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:39, 1 December 2015
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	==The Wigner Effect==		==The Wigner Effect==
			[[File:cm459706f7_online.jpg]]
	The Wigner effect is when the atom in a solid become displaced due to neutron radiation. This generally happens when neutrons collide with atoms in a crystal structure with enough energy to displace them from the lattice. This is most commonly found in nuclear reactors where energies can get up to 10 MeV, when a mere 25 eV is all thats needed for displacement to begin. This effect can become even more dramatic by causing displacement cascades inside of a matrix, via a series of elastic collisions. The Wigner effect can cause unplanned problems inside of reactors, as the now imperfect lattice structure has energy associated with it. When a large number of these imperfections accumulate, they could release their energy creating a dramatic increase in temperature, which is a risk in reactors with low operating temperatures. Such tragic effects have been seen in the real world, such as with the Windscale fire in Great Britain.		The Wigner effect is when the atom in a solid become displaced due to neutron radiation. This generally happens when neutrons collide with atoms in a crystal structure with enough energy to displace them from the lattice. This is most commonly found in nuclear reactors where energies can get up to 10 MeV, when a mere 25 eV is all thats needed for displacement to begin. This effect can become even more dramatic by causing displacement cascades inside of a matrix, via a series of elastic collisions. The Wigner effect can cause unplanned problems inside of reactors, as the now imperfect lattice structure has energy associated with it. When a large number of these imperfections accumulate, they could release their energy creating a dramatic increase in temperature, which is a risk in reactors with low operating temperatures. Such tragic effects have been seen in the real world, such as with the Windscale fire in Great Britain.

Cbranson3: /* Scientific Significance */

2015-12-01T22:37:49Z

Scientific Significance

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:37, 1 December 2015
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	===Scientific Significance===		===Scientific Significance===

			[[File:Atom-sodium.png\|thumb\|Atom-sodium]]
	Wigner's work with quantum mechanics lead to the formation of group theory in quantum mechanics. In ''Group Theory and Its Application to the Quantum Mechanics of Atomic Spectra'' Wigner described his own theory of symmetry in quantum mechanics, which helped to form the mathematical formulation of quantum mechanics. He then extended his research to apply it to atomic nuclei. He began to work with Princeton in the United States. In 1939, Eugene Wigner participated in a meeting with Leo Szilard and Albert Einstein to write a letter, later called the Einstein-Szilard letter, to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Wigner, scared of Germany creating the first atomic bomb, helped form this letter that convinced the president to begin a project to start the Manhattan Project. In his later years, he turned away from laboratory research and turned philosophical, causing him to write ''The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics in the Natural Sciences'' in 1960 which inspired people from a wide range of backgrounds such as computer science, molecular biology, data mining, physics, mathematics, and economics. In 1963, Wigner was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics "for his contributions to the theory of the atomic nucleus and the elementary particles, particularly through the discovery and application of fundamental symmetry principles" (1).		Wigner's work with quantum mechanics lead to the formation of group theory in quantum mechanics. In ''Group Theory and Its Application to the Quantum Mechanics of Atomic Spectra'' Wigner described his own theory of symmetry in quantum mechanics, which helped to form the mathematical formulation of quantum mechanics. He then extended his research to apply it to atomic nuclei. He began to work with Princeton in the United States. In 1939, Eugene Wigner participated in a meeting with Leo Szilard and Albert Einstein to write a letter, later called the Einstein-Szilard letter, to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Wigner, scared of Germany creating the first atomic bomb, helped form this letter that convinced the president to begin a project to start the Manhattan Project. In his later years, he turned away from laboratory research and turned philosophical, causing him to write ''The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics in the Natural Sciences'' in 1960 which inspired people from a wide range of backgrounds such as computer science, molecular biology, data mining, physics, mathematics, and economics. In 1963, Wigner was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics "for his contributions to the theory of the atomic nucleus and the elementary particles, particularly through the discovery and application of fundamental symmetry principles" (1).

	~~[[File:Atom-sodium.png\|thumb\|Atom-sodium]]~~

	Wigner's work with the mathematical nature of quantum mechanics ultimately led to him winning half of the nobel prize for physics in 1963. The two other winners of the award, Maria Goeppert Mayer and J. Hans D. Jensen, used Wigner's mathematical structure to determine the electron shell model of the nucleus which we still use today.		Wigner's work with the mathematical nature of quantum mechanics ultimately led to him winning half of the nobel prize for physics in 1963. The two other winners of the award, Maria Goeppert Mayer and J. Hans D. Jensen, used Wigner's mathematical structure to determine the electron shell model of the nucleus which we still use today.

Cbranson3: /* Scientific Significance */

2015-12-01T22:37:27Z

Scientific Significance

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:37, 1 December 2015
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	Wigner's work with quantum mechanics lead to the formation of group theory in quantum mechanics. In ''Group Theory and Its Application to the Quantum Mechanics of Atomic Spectra'' Wigner described his own theory of symmetry in quantum mechanics, which helped to form the mathematical formulation of quantum mechanics. He then extended his research to apply it to atomic nuclei. He began to work with Princeton in the United States. In 1939, Eugene Wigner participated in a meeting with Leo Szilard and Albert Einstein to write a letter, later called the Einstein-Szilard letter, to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Wigner, scared of Germany creating the first atomic bomb, helped form this letter that convinced the president to begin a project to start the Manhattan Project. In his later years, he turned away from laboratory research and turned philosophical, causing him to write ''The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics in the Natural Sciences'' in 1960 which inspired people from a wide range of backgrounds such as computer science, molecular biology, data mining, physics, mathematics, and economics. In 1963, Wigner was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics "for his contributions to the theory of the atomic nucleus and the elementary particles, particularly through the discovery and application of fundamental symmetry principles" (1).		Wigner's work with quantum mechanics lead to the formation of group theory in quantum mechanics. In ''Group Theory and Its Application to the Quantum Mechanics of Atomic Spectra'' Wigner described his own theory of symmetry in quantum mechanics, which helped to form the mathematical formulation of quantum mechanics. He then extended his research to apply it to atomic nuclei. He began to work with Princeton in the United States. In 1939, Eugene Wigner participated in a meeting with Leo Szilard and Albert Einstein to write a letter, later called the Einstein-Szilard letter, to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Wigner, scared of Germany creating the first atomic bomb, helped form this letter that convinced the president to begin a project to start the Manhattan Project. In his later years, he turned away from laboratory research and turned philosophical, causing him to write ''The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics in the Natural Sciences'' in 1960 which inspired people from a wide range of backgrounds such as computer science, molecular biology, data mining, physics, mathematics, and economics. In 1963, Wigner was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics "for his contributions to the theory of the atomic nucleus and the elementary particles, particularly through the discovery and application of fundamental symmetry principles" (1).

			[[File:Atom-sodium.png\|thumb\|Atom-sodium]]

	Wigner's work with the mathematical nature of quantum mechanics ultimately led to him winning half of the nobel prize for physics in 1963. The two other winners of the award, Maria Goeppert Mayer and J. Hans D. Jensen, used Wigner's mathematical structure to determine the electron shell model of the nucleus which we still use today.		Wigner's work with the mathematical nature of quantum mechanics ultimately led to him winning half of the nobel prize for physics in 1963. The two other winners of the award, Maria Goeppert Mayer and J. Hans D. Jensen, used Wigner's mathematical structure to determine the electron shell model of the nucleus which we still use today.
	~~[[File:Atom-sodium.png\|thumb\|Atom-sodium]]~~

	==Manhattan Project==		==Manhattan Project==

Cbranson3: /* Scientific Significance */

2015-12-01T22:35:15Z

Scientific Significance

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:35, 1 December 2015
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	Wigner's work with the mathematical nature of quantum mechanics ultimately led to him winning half of the nobel prize for physics in 1963. The two other winners of the award, Maria Goeppert Mayer and J. Hans D. Jensen, used Wigner's mathematical structure to determine the electron shell model of the nucleus which we still use today.		Wigner's work with the mathematical nature of quantum mechanics ultimately led to him winning half of the nobel prize for physics in 1963. The two other winners of the award, Maria Goeppert Mayer and J. Hans D. Jensen, used Wigner's mathematical structure to determine the electron shell model of the nucleus which we still use today.
	[[File:Atom-sodium.png\|Atom-sodium]]		[[File:Atom-sodium.png\|thumb\|Atom-sodium]]

	==Manhattan Project==		==Manhattan Project==

Cbranson3: /* The Wigner Effect */

2015-12-01T22:34:00Z

The Wigner Effect

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:34, 1 December 2015
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	==The Wigner Effect==		==The Wigner Effect==
	~~[[File:http://cdn.iopscience.com/images/0953-8984/25/13/135403/Full/cm459706f7_online.jpg]]~~

	The Wigner effect is when the atom in a solid become displaced due to neutron radiation. This generally happens when neutrons collide with atoms in a crystal structure with enough energy to displace them from the lattice. This is most commonly found in nuclear reactors where energies can get up to 10 MeV, when a mere 25 eV is all thats needed for displacement to begin. This effect can become even more dramatic by causing displacement cascades inside of a matrix, via a series of elastic collisions. The Wigner effect can cause unplanned problems inside of reactors, as the now imperfect lattice structure has energy associated with it. When a large number of these imperfections accumulate, they could release their energy creating a dramatic increase in temperature, which is a risk in reactors with low operating temperatures. Such tragic effects have been seen in the real world, such as with the Windscale fire in Great Britain.		The Wigner effect is when the atom in a solid become displaced due to neutron radiation. This generally happens when neutrons collide with atoms in a crystal structure with enough energy to displace them from the lattice. This is most commonly found in nuclear reactors where energies can get up to 10 MeV, when a mere 25 eV is all thats needed for displacement to begin. This effect can become even more dramatic by causing displacement cascades inside of a matrix, via a series of elastic collisions. The Wigner effect can cause unplanned problems inside of reactors, as the now imperfect lattice structure has energy associated with it. When a large number of these imperfections accumulate, they could release their energy creating a dramatic increase in temperature, which is a risk in reactors with low operating temperatures. Such tragic effects have been seen in the real world, such as with the Windscale fire in Great Britain.

Cbranson3: /* Manhattan Project */

2015-12-01T22:33:15Z

Manhattan Project

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:33, 1 December 2015
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	Wigner led a team on this project tasked with designing the production nuclear reactors. These reactors had to convert uranium into plutonium. This would be the first reactor ever actually created. He used a graphite neutron moderator with water cooling. Ultimately, his idea was altered by DuPont, who added more load tubes for the uranium, which ultimately saved the project as neutron poisoning became a problem. Wigner's main contribution to the Manhattan Project became known as the Wigner effect. This caused major setbacks for the Manhattan Project, but was later controlled by annealing and controlling the heating of the reactor. Another important contribution from Wigner that came out of this project was the Wigner-Eisenbud R-matrix theory. This theory, published in 1947, described the appropriate general approach to nuclear reactions that could be used in years to come.		Wigner led a team on this project tasked with designing the production nuclear reactors. These reactors had to convert uranium into plutonium. This would be the first reactor ever actually created. He used a graphite neutron moderator with water cooling. Ultimately, his idea was altered by DuPont, who added more load tubes for the uranium, which ultimately saved the project as neutron poisoning became a problem. Wigner's main contribution to the Manhattan Project became known as the Wigner effect. This caused major setbacks for the Manhattan Project, but was later controlled by annealing and controlling the heating of the reactor. Another important contribution from Wigner that came out of this project was the Wigner-Eisenbud R-matrix theory. This theory, published in 1947, described the appropriate general approach to nuclear reactions that could be used in years to come.

	[[File:http://cdn.iopscience.com/images/0953-8984/25/13/135403/Full/cm459706f7_online.jpg]]~~==The Wigner Effect==~~		==The Wigner Effect==
			[[File:http://cdn.iopscience.com/images/0953-8984/25/13/135403/Full/cm459706f7_online.jpg]]

	The Wigner effect is when the atom in a solid become displaced due to neutron radiation. This generally happens when neutrons collide with atoms in a crystal structure with enough energy to displace them from the lattice. This is most commonly found in nuclear reactors where energies can get up to 10 MeV, when a mere 25 eV is all thats needed for displacement to begin. This effect can become even more dramatic by causing displacement cascades inside of a matrix, via a series of elastic collisions. The Wigner effect can cause unplanned problems inside of reactors, as the now imperfect lattice structure has energy associated with it. When a large number of these imperfections accumulate, they could release their energy creating a dramatic increase in temperature, which is a risk in reactors with low operating temperatures. Such tragic effects have been seen in the real world, such as with the Windscale fire in Great Britain.		The Wigner effect is when the atom in a solid become displaced due to neutron radiation. This generally happens when neutrons collide with atoms in a crystal structure with enough energy to displace them from the lattice. This is most commonly found in nuclear reactors where energies can get up to 10 MeV, when a mere 25 eV is all thats needed for displacement to begin. This effect can become even more dramatic by causing displacement cascades inside of a matrix, via a series of elastic collisions. The Wigner effect can cause unplanned problems inside of reactors, as the now imperfect lattice structure has energy associated with it. When a large number of these imperfections accumulate, they could release their energy creating a dramatic increase in temperature, which is a risk in reactors with low operating temperatures. Such tragic effects have been seen in the real world, such as with the Windscale fire in Great Britain.

Cbranson3: /* The Wigner Effect */

2015-12-01T22:32:48Z

The Wigner Effect

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:32, 1 December 2015
Line 24:		Line 24:
	Wigner led a team on this project tasked with designing the production nuclear reactors. These reactors had to convert uranium into plutonium. This would be the first reactor ever actually created. He used a graphite neutron moderator with water cooling. Ultimately, his idea was altered by DuPont, who added more load tubes for the uranium, which ultimately saved the project as neutron poisoning became a problem. Wigner's main contribution to the Manhattan Project became known as the Wigner effect. This caused major setbacks for the Manhattan Project, but was later controlled by annealing and controlling the heating of the reactor. Another important contribution from Wigner that came out of this project was the Wigner-Eisenbud R-matrix theory. This theory, published in 1947, described the appropriate general approach to nuclear reactions that could be used in years to come.		Wigner led a team on this project tasked with designing the production nuclear reactors. These reactors had to convert uranium into plutonium. This would be the first reactor ever actually created. He used a graphite neutron moderator with water cooling. Ultimately, his idea was altered by DuPont, who added more load tubes for the uranium, which ultimately saved the project as neutron poisoning became a problem. Wigner's main contribution to the Manhattan Project became known as the Wigner effect. This caused major setbacks for the Manhattan Project, but was later controlled by annealing and controlling the heating of the reactor. Another important contribution from Wigner that came out of this project was the Wigner-Eisenbud R-matrix theory. This theory, published in 1947, described the appropriate general approach to nuclear reactions that could be used in years to come.

	==The Wigner Effect==		[[File:http://cdn.iopscience.com/images/0953-8984/25/13/135403/Full/cm459706f7_online.jpg]]==The Wigner Effect==

	The Wigner effect is when the atom in a solid become displaced due to neutron radiation. This generally happens when neutrons collide with atoms in a crystal structure with enough energy to displace them from the lattice. This is most commonly found in nuclear reactors where energies can get up to 10 MeV, when a mere 25 eV is all thats needed for displacement to begin. This effect can become even more dramatic by causing displacement cascades inside of a matrix, via a series of elastic collisions. The Wigner effect can cause unplanned problems inside of reactors, as the now imperfect lattice structure has energy associated with it. When a large number of these imperfections accumulate, they could release their energy creating a dramatic increase in temperature, which is a risk in reactors with low operating temperatures. Such tragic effects have been seen in the real world, such as with the Windscale fire in Great Britain.		The Wigner effect is when the atom in a solid become displaced due to neutron radiation. This generally happens when neutrons collide with atoms in a crystal structure with enough energy to displace them from the lattice. This is most commonly found in nuclear reactors where energies can get up to 10 MeV, when a mere 25 eV is all thats needed for displacement to begin. This effect can become even more dramatic by causing displacement cascades inside of a matrix, via a series of elastic collisions. The Wigner effect can cause unplanned problems inside of reactors, as the now imperfect lattice structure has energy associated with it. When a large number of these imperfections accumulate, they could release their energy creating a dramatic increase in temperature, which is a risk in reactors with low operating temperatures. Such tragic effects have been seen in the real world, such as with the Windscale fire in Great Britain.

Cbranson3: /* See also */

2015-12-01T22:23:14Z

Cbranson3: /* Manhattan Project */

2015-12-01T22:22:51Z

Manhattan Project

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:22, 1 December 2015
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	==Manhattan Project==		==Manhattan Project==

	Wigner led a team on this project tasked with designing the production nuclear reactors. These reactors had to convert uranium into plutonium. This would be the first reactor ever actually created. He used a graphite neutron moderator with water cooling. Ultimately, his idea was altered by DuPont, who added more load tubes for the uranium, which ultimately saved the project as neutron poisoning became a problem. Wigner's main contribution to the Manhattan Project became known as the Wigner effect~~. This is when there is a swelling of the graphite moderator and is caused by a displacement of atoms by neutron radiation~~. This caused major ~~problems~~ for the Manhattan Project, but was later controlled by annealing and controlling the heating of the reactor. Another important contribution from Wigner that came out of this project was the Wigner-Eisenbud R-matrix theory. This theory, published in 1947, described the appropriate general approach to nuclear reactions that could be used in years to come.		Wigner led a team on this project tasked with designing the production nuclear reactors. These reactors had to convert uranium into plutonium. This would be the first reactor ever actually created. He used a graphite neutron moderator with water cooling. Ultimately, his idea was altered by DuPont, who added more load tubes for the uranium, which ultimately saved the project as neutron poisoning became a problem. Wigner's main contribution to the Manhattan Project became known as the Wigner effect. This caused major setbacks for the Manhattan Project, but was later controlled by annealing and controlling the heating of the reactor. Another important contribution from Wigner that came out of this project was the Wigner-Eisenbud R-matrix theory. This theory, published in 1947, described the appropriate general approach to nuclear reactions that could be used in years to come.

			==The Wigner Effect==

			The Wigner effect is when the atom in a solid become displaced due to neutron radiation. This generally happens when neutrons collide with atoms in a crystal structure with enough energy to displace them from the lattice. This is most commonly found in nuclear reactors where energies can get up to 10 MeV, when a mere 25 eV is all thats needed for displacement to begin. This effect can become even more dramatic by causing displacement cascades inside of a matrix, via a series of elastic collisions. The Wigner effect can cause unplanned problems inside of reactors, as the now imperfect lattice structure has energy associated with it. When a large number of these imperfections accumulate, they could release their energy creating a dramatic increase in temperature, which is a risk in reactors with low operating temperatures. Such tragic effects have been seen in the real world, such as with the Windscale fire in Great Britain.

	==Awards==		==Awards==

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:23, 1 December 2015
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	- The Wigner Effect		- The Wigner Effect

			-Windscale Fire

	- The Wigner Medal		- The Wigner Medal