Pauli to Sommerfeld on Discrete Derivative

In summary, readers of the forum can access a PDF document from the CERN database, which contains a letter from Pauli discussing the need for discrete derivatives and their influence on Matrix Mechanics. However, a translation of Z Phys 16 155, mentioned in the letter, cannot be found online. In another letter to Lande, Pauli also mentions the possibility of attributing the J(J-1) expression to integration along one Planck constant. Two contemporary articles by Pauli on the subject can be found in the Z P journal, but electronic access and translations are currently unavailable.
  • #1
arivero
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Resders of the forum could enjoy this pdf
http://documents.cern.ch//archive/electronic/other/pauli_vol3//sommerfeld_0463-2.pdf
from
http://doc.cern.ch/cgi-bin/setlink?base=pauli&categ=&id=sommerfeld_0463-2

In page 3 of the letter (1 of the transcripcion) you can read Pauli sentence of the need of discrete derivatives, which is said to inspire Matrix Mechanics a year later.

I can not find online some copy or better some translation of Z Phys 16 155. Any help?
 
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  • #2
Looking again to the letters suggested in the book of Olivier Darrigol, it seems that Pauli was no sure if to adscrive the J(J-1) expression to discrete derivative or to integration along one Planck constant. This second possibliity appears in the foot of page 4 (of the handwritten copy) of Pauli to Lande 23/May/1923, also scanned in the CERN database.

http://doc.cern.ch/cgi-bin/setlink?base=pauli&categ=&id=lande_0343
 
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  • #3
The two contemporary articles of Pauli are

26. April 1923 Über die Gesetzmäßigkeiten des anomalen Zeemaneffektes Z P Volume 16, Number 1

and

20. Oktober 1923 Zur Frage der Zuordnung der Komplexstrukturterme in starken und in schwachen äußeren Feldern Z P Volume 20, Number 1

I am now more than one hundred miles away from the journal; does anybody has electronic access to the pdf and/or to some translation?
 

What is the "Pauli to Sommerfeld on Discrete Derivative"?

The "Pauli to Sommerfeld on Discrete Derivative" is a correspondence between two prominent physicists, Wolfgang Pauli and Arnold Sommerfeld, regarding the concept of discrete derivatives in quantum mechanics.

What is a discrete derivative?

A discrete derivative is a mathematical operation that describes the rate of change of a function at a particular point in a discrete, or non-continuous, system. In quantum mechanics, it is used to describe the behavior of quantum particles and their discrete energy levels.

Why is the correspondence between Pauli and Sommerfeld significant?

The correspondence between Pauli and Sommerfeld was significant because it helped to clarify the concept of discrete derivatives in quantum mechanics. It also demonstrated the importance of collaboration and communication in the field of physics.

What did Pauli and Sommerfeld discuss in their correspondence?

In their correspondence, Pauli and Sommerfeld discussed the differences between the classical and quantum mechanical approaches to calculating discrete derivatives. They also discussed the implications of discrete derivatives for the behavior of quantum particles.

How does the concept of discrete derivatives relate to modern physics?

The concept of discrete derivatives is still relevant in modern physics, particularly in the field of quantum mechanics. It is used to describe the behavior of quantum particles and their energy levels, and has been applied to many areas of research, including quantum computing and quantum cryptography.

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