Göttingen is named a Historic Site of Physics”!

Göttingen is named a Historic Site of Physics”!

On April 2, 2025, the city of Göttingen received an important award: the European Physical Society (EPS) named it a “Historic Site of Physics”. This honor was given based on the crucial role that Göttingen played in the development of quantum mechanics, which began there in 1925. Quantum mechanics has not only revolutionized the understanding of natural sciences, but also made Göttingen a center of modern physics. This year also marks the “International Year of Quantum Sciences and Quantum Technologies”, which underlines the increasing relevance of this discipline uni-goettingen.de reported.

As part of the award, an official stele will be erected on Berliner Straße in front of the Forum Wissen. The unveiling will take place during a ceremony as part of the Göttingen spring meeting of the German Physical Society (DPG) in the auditorium at Wilhelmsplatz. University President Prof. Dr. Axel Schölmerich emphasized the importance of new colleagues for scientific progress, while Mayor Petra Broistedt emphasized the importance of academic freedom.

The context of quantum mechanics

The year 2025 also marks the 100th birthday of quantum mechanics, which is considered a fundamental scientific turning point comparable to the Copernican Revolution. Göttingen is also recognized as the place of origin of this important science, as the groundbreaking paper by Max Born, Werner Heisenberg and Pascual Jordan was published here in 1925, which gave the starting signal for quantum mechanics. These findings have far-reaching effects on technologies such as laser scanners, magnetic resonance imaging and computer chips, which is a central point in the special exhibition “What about Quant”, which is also shown in the Knowledge Forum zeit.de reported.

The exhibition presents historical documents and research models that illustrate the development of quantum mechanics. Visitors can see works by renowned physicists such as Born, Heisenberg and Jordan as well as the Franck-Hertz experiment and Heisenberg's habilitation report. The exhibition is designed to appeal to a broader audience and uses simplified texts as well as playful explanatory videos and board games on quantum mechanics.

Memories of dark chapters

A sensitive element of the exhibition is the discussion of the dark sides and challenges that previous researchers faced. Max Born's enthusiasm for war, Pascual Jordan's membership in the SA and Heisenberg's involvement in the uranium program are reported. The expulsion of numerous scientists from Göttingen is also discussed, which significantly affected physical research in the city. This multifaceted approach reveals the complex history of quantum mechanics and the influences it has had not only on science but also on society.

Overall, the current recognition of Göttingen and the subsequent events indicate that quantum mechanics represents not only a scientific but also a cultural heritage of the city. The combination of historical appreciation and modern knowledge transfer shows how Göttingen occupies a central place in the history and future of physics.