The discovery of the Stark effect in 1919 earned Johannes Stark the Nobel Prize in Physics, recognizing his work on the splitting of spectral lines within electric fields. Born in 1874 in Schickenhof, he established a career spanning several German institutions, focusing primarily on spectroscopy and the electrical properties of gases throughout the early twentieth century.
Academic Foundation and Research
Stark studied physics, mathematics, chemistry, and crystallography at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, earning his doctorate in 1897. His initial research career saw him serve as a Privatdozent at the University of Göttingen before holding professorships at Leibniz University Hannover and RWTH Aachen University. During his career, he authored over 300 scientific papers, including investigations into canal rays and the behavior of light.
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Beyond his teaching roles, Stark held administrative positions, including serving as President of the Physikalisch-Technische Reichsanstalt and the Notgemeinschaft der Deutschen Wissenschaft between 1933 and 1939. His contributions to the field were marked by several honors, such as the Matteucci Medal in 1915 and the Goethe Medal for Art and Science in 1939. He was also a member of various scientific organizations, including the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei.
Political Activities and Denazification
Starting in 1924, Stark became an active supporter of Adolf Hitler. Following World War II, a denazification court classified Stark as a 'Major Offender' in 1947, sentencing him to four years of imprisonment. This classification was later reduced to 'Lesser Offender' in 1949, accompanied by a 1000-mark fine.
Later Life
After the war, Stark retired to his country estate, Gut Eppenstatt, located near Traunstein in Upper Bavaria. He utilized funds from his Nobel Prize to maintain a private laboratory where he continued his studies on the deflection of light in electric fields. He remained on his estate until his death on 21 June 1957, and he was subsequently buried at the mountain cemetery in Schönau am Königssee.
Fast facts
- Born: 15 April 1874, Schickenhof
- Died: 21 June 1957, Traunstein
- Nobel Prize in Physics: 1919
- Major research area: Spectroscopy
- Primary discovery: Stark effect
- Educated at: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
- Political affiliation: Nazi Party
Questions readers ask
What is the Stark effect?
It is the splitting of spectral lines of atoms or molecules when they are placed in a strong electric field.
What was the Deutsche Physik movement?
It was an antisemitic movement led by Stark and Philipp Lenard that sought to exclude Jewish physicists and their theories from German scientific institutions.
Achievements
- Matteucci Medal — 1915
- Nobel Prize in Physics — 1919
- Notable work: Stark effect
- Held posts at Leibniz University Hannover, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt and RWTH Aachen University
- Educated at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
- Fields of research: spectroscopy
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