Max von Laue
German physicist who discovered X-ray diffraction by crystals.
He made contributions in optics, crystallography, quantum theory, superconductivity, and the theory of relativity, and held administrative positions that guided German scientific research for four decades. A strong objector to Nazism, he was instrumental in re-establishing and organizing German science after World War II.
- died
- 24 April 1960
- field
- Physics
- nationality
- German
- known_for
- Discovery of the diffraction of X-rays by crystals
Lore & Background
Max von Laue studied at the University of Strassburg, University of Göttingen, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, and Friedrich Wilhelm University of Berlin, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1903 under Max Planck. He was a trustee and deputy director of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Physics, and became acting director after Einstein did not return to Germany following Hitler's chancellorship. He opposed Nazism and Deutsche Physik, openly criticizing the persecution of Jewish scientists and the labeling of relativity as 'Jewish physics.' He helped colleagues emigrate, blocked Johannes Stark's membership in the Prussian Academy of Sciences, and attended a commemoration for Fritz Haber despite a government ban.
Reader's Guide
Max von Laue's significance lies in his foundational discovery of X-ray diffraction, which opened the field of X-ray crystallography and allowed the determination of atomic structures. His administrative roles at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Physics helped sustain German physics through turbulent decades. Laue's principled opposition to Nazism, including his defense of Einstein's relativity and his support for persecuted colleagues, marked him as a moral figure in science. After World War II, he helped reorganize German science. His work on superconductivity, including collaboration with the London brothers, and his books on relativity and the history of physics further cemented his legacy. The anecdote of his Nobel medal being dissolved in aqua regia to hide it from Nazis underscores the dangers of the era.
Did You Know?
- Laue's Nobel Prize gold medal was dissolved in aqua regia by George de Hevesy to prevent the Nazis from discovering it during World War II.
- Laue successfully blocked Johannes Stark's regular membership in the Prussian Academy of Sciences.
- Laue's book on the history of physics, 'Geschichte der Physik,' was translated into seven other languages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What discovery earned Max von Laue the 1914 Nobel Prize in Physics?
He demonstrated that a crystal lattice acts as a three-dimensional diffraction grating for X-rays, confirming both the wave nature of X-rays and the periodic arrangement of atoms inside a solid. This single experiment became a cornerstone of crystallography and solid-state physics.
Which fields beyond X-ray diffraction did Max von Laue work in?
His research touched optics, crystallography, quantum theory, superconductivity, and the theory of relativity. He also served in leadership roles that guided German research institutions for roughly four decades.
How did Max von Laue respond to the Nazi regime and what did he do after WWII?
He was a vocal opponent of Nazism and refused to allow his position to be co-opted by the regime. After the war he became a central figure in rebuilding and reorganizing the German scientific community.
More in Physicists And Chemists Of The 20Th Century 1-19
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