Wander Johannes de Haas: Pioneer of Low-Temperature Physics
Wander Johannes de Haas (1878–1960) was a distinguished Dutch physicist and mathematician whose research fundamentally advanced our understanding of matter at extremely low temperatures. He is most recognized for discovering several quantum mechanical effects that bear his name, providing critical insights into the behavior of electrons in metals.
Key Facts
- Primary Contributions: Discovered the Shubnikov–de Haas, De Haas–Van Alphen, and Einstein–de Haas effects.
- Academic Affiliations: University of Leiden and TU Delft.
- Major Award: Recipient of the Rumford Medal in 1934.
- Education: Earned his doctorate from the University of Leiden in 1912.
- Notable Connection: Son-in-law of the renowned physicist Hendrik Lorentz.
Early Life and Academic Transition
Born on March 2, 1878, in Lisse, Netherlands, Wander de Haas was the son of Maria Efting and Albertus de Haas, who served as the principal of the Teacher's College in Middelburg. His path to science was not immediate; after completing high school in Middelburg, he initially pursued paralegal studies in 1895.
After spending time working in a lawyer's office and completing two of the three required examination parts, de Haas decided to pivot his career toward physics. He passed the necessary university admission exams and enrolled at the University of Leiden in 1900. There, he studied under the guidance of Johannes Petrus Kuenen and Heike Kamerlingh Onnes, the first physicist to liquefy helium.
De Haas completed his doctoral studies in 1912 under Kamerlingh Onnes. His thesis, titled Measurements on the Compressibility of Hydrogen, laid the groundwork for his future expertise in the physical properties of gases and liquids.
Professional Career and Research
Following his doctorate, de Haas gained international experience as a researcher at the Physikalische Reichsanstalt in Berlin. Upon returning to the Netherlands, his career spanned several roles, including a schoolteacher in Deventer and a conservator at the Teylers Museum in Haarlem.
He eventually transitioned into academia, serving as a physics professor at the University of Groningen and the Delft Technical School. In 1925, he returned to the University of Leiden to become a professor and one of the two heads of the Laboratory of Physics, succeeding his former mentor, Heike Kamerlingh Onnes. He remained in this position until his retirement in 1948.
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De Haas's legacy is preserved through his scientific instruments; for example, an electromagnet from approximately 1930 used in his low-temperature research is currently housed in the Boerhaave Museum in Leiden.
Scientific Contributions
De Haas is celebrated for identifying three major physical phenomena:
- The De Haas–Van Alphen effect: The oscillation of the magnetization of a metal as a function of an external magnetic field.
- The Shubnikov–de Haas effect: Oscillations in the electrical conductivity of a material in a strong magnetic field.
- The Einstein–de Haas effect: The demonstration that changing the magnetization of a ferromagnetic object causes it to rotate, proving the link between magnetism and angular momentum.
Personal Life and Honors
On December 22, 1910, de Haas married Geertruida Luberta Lorentz, the eldest daughter of physicist Hendrik Lorentz. The couple had four children: two sons and two daughters. De Haas was an atheist.
His contributions to science were recognized globally, most notably with the Rumford Medal in 1934. He was elected to the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1922. Although he was forced to resign from the Academy in 1942 during World War II, he was reinstated in 1945 following the end of the conflict.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Lifespan | March 2, 1878 – April 26, 1960 |
| Alma Mater | University of Leiden |
| Key Effects | Shubnikov–de Haas, De Haas–Van Alphen, Einstein–de Haas |
| Doctoral Advisor | Heike Kamerlingh Onnes |
| Notable Award | Rumford Medal (1934) |
| Retirement Year | 1948 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary scientific discoveries of Wander de Haas?
He is best known for the Shubnikov–de Haas effect, the De Haas–Van Alphen effect, and the Einstein–de Haas effect, all of which relate to the magnetic and electrical properties of materials.
Did Wander de Haas always intend to be a physicist?
No, he initially began paralegal studies in 1895 and worked in a lawyer's office before deciding to change his career path to physics in 1900.
Who was Wander de Haas's doctoral advisor?
He earned his doctorate in 1912 under the supervision of Heike Kamerlingh Onnes at the University of Leiden.
What was the subject of his doctoral thesis?
His thesis focused on the measurements of the compressibility of hydrogen, specifically hydrogen vapor at and below its boiling point.
How was he connected to Hendrik Lorentz?
Wander de Haas was the son-in-law of Hendrik Lorentz, having married Lorentz's eldest daughter, Geertruida Luberta Lorentz.