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„The chronology of the findings in the process of the discovery of nuclear fission" (in German) by Vera Morgenweck

To obtain an accurate and balanced picture of the path to the discovery as far as possible, the relevant information of historical chemistry is documented exclusively from the primary sources in this overview. The compilation follows, in form and content, the representation of Fritz Krafft “In the Shadow of Sensation” (1981) to a large extent. Krafft edited the correspondence between Hahn and Meitner regarding the work on uranium. It refers to the period between the appearance of the publications of Irène Curie and Paul Savitch in October 1938, the cause for Hahn and Straßmann's work, up to those of Lise Meitner and Otto Robert Frisch, who explained Hahn and Straßmann's discovery physically.

The document includes 12 pages

Download document chronology of discovery of nuclear fission (115 KB, in German)

"About the description of the relationship of Lise Meitner and Otto Hahn by Ruth Lewin Sime" (in German) by Vera Morgenweck

The sources for this issue are very extensive and accessible in all their relevant parts to everyone. There are scientific publications, diaries, wiretap transcripts, reports by Hahn to the Allies, speeches, and interviews. Papers were regularly presented on the anniversaries in scientific journals by Hahn, Meitner, and occasionally also by Fritz Straßmann. Hahn wrote a scientific biography and, in his final years, his memoirs. Above all, due to Lise Meitner's friendship with Hahn and his family, an extensive private correspondence emerged over the decades, important parts of which were released in various publications. The period of this correspondence extends, with interruptions, from the First World War up to the deaths of both of them in 1968. A late document of Fritz Straßmann, which appeared in 1978, plays a key role for Sime.

The overall view of these published sources gives me the idea of a congenial and friendly relationship between Lise Meitner and Otto Hahn, which cannot be reconciled with the presentation by Ruth Lewin Sime. This is discussed in the work in detail.

The document comprises 90 pages.

Download document index examination paper (35 KB, in English)

Download document examination paper (617 KB, in German)

"Overview of the research in radioactivity and the theoretical foundations of the discovery of nuclear fission - an introduction to the literature until 1945" (in German) by Vera Morgenweck

It was necessary to develop the scientific content in order to understand the original publications and the scientific part of the Hahn–Meitner correspondence. I am grateful to Prof. Jens Volker Kratz for the opportunity to participate as a guest in an internship at the Institute of Nuclear Chemistry at Mainz and the staff for the great support extended to me.
This manuscript was created in this context. It originated from the materials for my lecture at Prof. Trömel’s seminar, in which I presented the basics of radioactivity research.

It is recommended to take a look before, or during, the reading of the examination paper in this manuscript, at the places where the basic concepts and methods - as well as the historical development of the state of research - are documented. This manuscript will be helpful for the evaluation of the professional scientific literature. It is, however, not absolutely necessary if one wishes to follow my line of argumentation.

The document has 37 pages (4.42 MB)

Download document index theoretical foundations (44 KB, in English)

Download document theoretical foundations (4,42 MB, in German)

"Hahn has never distanced himself from Lise Meitner - some remarks on Ruth Lewin Sime: Whose Legend?" (in German) Unpublished manuscript by Vera Morgenweck (in German)

The document includes 15 pages

Download manuscript morgenweck 2001 (251 KB, in German)